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jenniahw's reviews
19 reviews
This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan
challenging
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
As someone who has always been intrigued by Kennedy Ryan's work I was beyond excited when this book came available. It was as good as I expected and I loved the story of a woman already in a rocky marriage learning that things are in fact worse than they seem. An affair is the least of her worries and having to navigate all this with kids, without much personal income, and while people apart of the organization her husband messed with wanting to make her life harder than it is is a lot to go through. The way all of this is written just works so well and really shows how as a parent you have to push through not just for your kids, but for yourself. Because you do deserve better and you shouldn't deny yourself what you deserve and what can make your life one you don't regret living.
My sole issue is that I would have loved for more time to have passed. A year or two before the man who is the catalyst to the reveal of her husband's major mess ups becomes more of love interest would have built the tension for them a little more. It also would have made her daddy's girl middle daughter's anger over him being the man who put her father in jail a little ridiculous. For me it read as very valid since only nine months had gone by and so I couldn't be bothered that she was still clinging to that and saw it as a bit valid seeing as all of that is a lot to process.
I appreciate the chance to read this given to me via NetGalley.
My sole issue is that I would have loved for more time to have passed. A year or two before the man who is the catalyst to the reveal of her husband's major mess ups becomes more of love interest would have built the tension for them a little more. It also would have made her daddy's girl middle daughter's anger over him being the man who put her father in jail a little ridiculous. For me it read as very valid since only nine months had gone by and so I couldn't be bothered that she was still clinging to that and saw it as a bit valid seeing as all of that is a lot to process.
I appreciate the chance to read this given to me via NetGalley.
Hate Mail by Winter Renshaw
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
While the premise was interesting, I just couldn't get through this story when the MMC is a person who never seemed to grow out of being a child. As a kid his disdain for the FMC would make some sense, but as an adult it was so weird that it felt like he was both taking and not taking accountability for a dynamic he started. All while he acted like he was a gift to the world and above others.
Close Enough to Hurt: A Novel by Katherine A. Olson
adventurous
challenging
dark
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book wasn't what I expected, but not in a bad way at all. The description sets a little more mystery to it, but I think it's a fairly straight forward story of a woman whose life has been driven by a horrible thing that happened to her big sister. She finds the only way she can cope is by helping others find the answers and take down the people who have wronged them in their lives. And she does it so well that she has a steady clientele and her nickname is whispered among the people. But finally she's faced off with the villain of her sister (and her) story in the form of something horrible he's done to another woman and plans to do to millions if his lies about a cutting edge drug puts it out into the world.
She manages to do this while being forced to address her feelings for the partner in crime who is on his way out of the business and into settling down. The romance between them is the kind that could flourish, if only she stopped fighting herself and putting up a front that leaves her from thinking that she's better off without someone like him. But this fight she puts up is also the thing that gets her to see the truth. To see that distancing herself from not only him, but her sister is unhelpful to her and all parties deserve something more, Something happy.
The story is wrapped up nicely in a bow and we get to see a win for so many women because a man who's been allowed to get away with everything from the moment he was born is dealt with.
I'm thankful for the chance to listen to this book given to me via NetGalley.
She manages to do this while being forced to address her feelings for the partner in crime who is on his way out of the business and into settling down. The romance between them is the kind that could flourish, if only she stopped fighting herself and putting up a front that leaves her from thinking that she's better off without someone like him. But this fight she puts up is also the thing that gets her to see the truth. To see that distancing herself from not only him, but her sister is unhelpful to her and all parties deserve something more, Something happy.
The story is wrapped up nicely in a bow and we get to see a win for so many women because a man who's been allowed to get away with everything from the moment he was born is dealt with.
I'm thankful for the chance to listen to this book given to me via NetGalley.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
The Grimmer by Naben Ruthnum
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
I found myself liking the book more than I anticipated. Of course it had my interest from the description (and cover) alone, but as I read more of Vish, a kid already struggling in a town where most of the other Indian people are his parents, I loved it. He's a young teen and while he already has to deal with what what can be considered normal teenage woes, he's also unlucky in the fact that his father had an addiction that wrecked his world. You meet him after he returns from being sent away, a mistake on his parents part, and in just the first pages you see so much of the struggle and his dynamic with the people who should have been in his corner, like his friend who is the reason that the news of his father spread and part of the reason he had to spend two years isolated.
But even if this new start in the town he grew up in should be a restart and the beginning of his healing, he's thrown into the mix of a magical horror story involving an entity that's the face (and body parts) of nightmares. He hasn't had time to even come to terms with everything else, but now he has to help save himself and the town he lives in, all with very little time and with people who aren't always giving him the full picture. But watching him try to throw himself into being a solution and now come out of it with everything fixed, but on the right path makes me happy.
And that plot twist at the end, THAT PLOT TWIST, I didn't actually see it coming, I gasped out loud and it broke my heart a little more, because it gave so much insight to what leads people to certain lives. How choices made for people and that they make because of those choices shape you. Make you someone you wish you weren't. Also the thing that comes after the plot twist, the thing I did guess, does leave room for a sequel maybe? I wouldn't mind.
If I have to say the one thing that bothers me a little is that I wish there was more time taken for him forgiving his friends. They all are kids, but what they did crossed a major line and really messed up his life. Even after all of this he still has to deal with the looks and whispers. There will probably also be some mild bullying and while they can stand up for him, it wouldn't be this way if they hadn't made the choice to tell a teacher.
I'm thankful to have had the chance to read this via NetGalley.
But even if this new start in the town he grew up in should be a restart and the beginning of his healing, he's thrown into the mix of a magical horror story involving an entity that's the face (and body parts) of nightmares. He hasn't had time to even come to terms with everything else, but now he has to help save himself and the town he lives in, all with very little time and with people who aren't always giving him the full picture. But watching him try to throw himself into being a solution and now come out of it with everything fixed, but on the right path makes me happy.
And that plot twist at the end, THAT PLOT TWIST, I didn't actually see it coming, I gasped out loud and it broke my heart a little more, because it gave so much insight to what leads people to certain lives. How choices made for people and that they make because of those choices shape you. Make you someone you wish you weren't. Also the thing that comes after the plot twist, the thing I did guess, does leave room for a sequel maybe? I wouldn't mind.
If I have to say the one thing that bothers me a little is that I wish there was more time taken for him forgiving his friends. They all are kids, but what they did crossed a major line and really messed up his life. Even after all of this he still has to deal with the looks and whispers. There will probably also be some mild bullying and while they can stand up for him, it wouldn't be this way if they hadn't made the choice to tell a teacher.
I'm thankful to have had the chance to read this via NetGalley.
A Dream So Dark by L.L. McKinney
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
4.75
A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
The One That Got Away with Murder by Trish Lundy
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book gave me exactly what I hoped for when I read its description. The story of Lauren's life is one filled with a personal trauma that no one, especially a teenager, should deal with. And because of what was happening a dangerous incident sends her away from her home in California to small town life like she's never experienced. Though it's clear that she's still suffering from everything that's happened, I can't imagine how she was hanging on so well. Her coping tactics are less harmful than more full fledge adults, but it's clear that she would still do well to find a therapist that's a good fit for her.
And then you have Robbie, a teenager who has also gone through too much for his age and struggling with it on a level that is also admirable, even if he sacrifices a lot of what he loves in his grief and need to distance himself because the the accusations laid at the feet of his brother and him.
These are two kids who are really just trying to navigate life post tragedy and they fall into each other.
Seeing them both fall - and Lauren fight it - was interesting in the setting of uncertainty that comes with a murder mystery, especially when the body count jumps to three. The way Lauren falls into finding the truth feels like a way to give her something else to focus on and to validate or invalidate how she feels about Robbie. I mean you can stop yourself from having the nicety of a boyfriend and continue punishing yourself for what turned out worse than intended when he's a girlfriend murderer with a brother who may also be one. But her sticking it out and being unafraid to hold on to the belief that her first instinct that Robbie and Trevor could be innocent brings about the answers of families and friends of those gone and show her that she deserve that closure. Deserves to move on and be happy.
I love this book and I love these characters! I would read more about them and I'll definitely reread all about that. Though if there was more I'd definitely hope for a little less traumatizing. They deserve a break like no other.
**MILD SPOILER**
My only "issue" with this story is that I wanted more from her mother. Lauren makes it clear that she's the time to change or adjust herself so that she meshes well with the boyfriend she has. And while it may have just been annoying before, it's led to something that puts her kid in a bad situation. I don't blame her for that, because there is no way to guess such a thing, my problem instead lies within the way I don't think she was apologetic enough. Not about what this led to, but about the way she was barely giving her child who went through something terrible back home and is in her last year of high school, last year living home, the attention she deserved. Like who goes to dinner before your kid's senior night and then thinks that announcing a proposal is a good way to make her less upset with you, especially when you haven't made up for your last fight? She's also someone who needs therapy.
I'm thankful to have received this arc via NetGalley.
And then you have Robbie, a teenager who has also gone through too much for his age and struggling with it on a level that is also admirable, even if he sacrifices a lot of what he loves in his grief and need to distance himself because the the accusations laid at the feet of his brother and him.
These are two kids who are really just trying to navigate life post tragedy and they fall into each other.
Seeing them both fall - and Lauren fight it - was interesting in the setting of uncertainty that comes with a murder mystery, especially when the body count jumps to three. The way Lauren falls into finding the truth feels like a way to give her something else to focus on and to validate or invalidate how she feels about Robbie. I mean you can stop yourself from having the nicety of a boyfriend and continue punishing yourself for what turned out worse than intended when he's a girlfriend murderer with a brother who may also be one. But her sticking it out and being unafraid to hold on to the belief that her first instinct that Robbie and Trevor could be innocent brings about the answers of families and friends of those gone and show her that she deserve that closure. Deserves to move on and be happy.
I love this book and I love these characters! I would read more about them and I'll definitely reread all about that. Though if there was more I'd definitely hope for a little less traumatizing. They deserve a break like no other.
**MILD SPOILER**
I'm thankful to have received this arc via NetGalley.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, and Drug use
Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, and Suicide
Minor: Eating disorder, Sexual assault, and Adult/minor relationship
War by Laura Thalassa
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
DNF 20% in.
I'm sure this is a great series, but I realize that it's not for me. I prefer a story like this, but that would give the female leads more of an understanding of why the horsemen are committed and maybe one of them who is going to agree with the horsemen (purely because of the odds of them all wanting to save humanity are iffy), but I fear that it won't happen and I would hate to continue and it not be enjoyable.
I do have a friend who enjoys this kind of thing, so I know that it has an audience and if horsemen being swayed by love is something you'd enjoy it's perfect for you.
I'm sure this is a great series, but I realize that it's not for me. I prefer a story like this, but that would give the female leads more of an understanding of why the horsemen are committed and maybe one of them who is going to agree with the horsemen (purely because of the odds of them all wanting to save humanity are iffy), but I fear that it won't happen and I would hate to continue and it not be enjoyable.
I do have a friend who enjoys this kind of thing, so I know that it has an audience and if horsemen being swayed by love is something you'd enjoy it's perfect for you.
Pestilence by Laura Thalassa
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
I reallt enjoyed this book and the dynamic between Sara and Pestilence. Two beings put in shitty circumstances who are forced to see the other side of things and how they're both victims in all this. I really loved that Sara began to see that this was hard and that before Ruth passed she really drove that home for her. Of the two I do believe she needed to open her eyes the most about the world and why Pestilence was doing what he does.
However, I think I would have enjoyed it more if there was more of thought about what comes after you stop Pestilence. There are still 3 brothers to go and while I get being focused on the current threat it felt odd to talk about the other horsemen but not see her think much about how stopping Pestilence would just bring them next. Or hell, bring God. That and I can't imagine seeing first hand how people treated each other pre-arrival, post arrival, and while riding with Pestilence and not having a moment where she thought about how humanity refused to change even in the face of death. How that is problematic and how even if she stopped Pestilence and the others didn't come her family in the future could still be under threat because no one is changing.
However, I think I would have enjoyed it more if there was more of thought about what comes after you stop Pestilence. There are still 3 brothers to go and while I get being focused on the current threat it felt odd to talk about the other horsemen but not see her think much about how stopping Pestilence would just bring them next. Or hell, bring God. That and I can't imagine seeing first hand how people treated each other pre-arrival, post arrival, and while riding with Pestilence and not having a moment where she thought about how humanity refused to change even in the face of death. How that is problematic and how even if she stopped Pestilence and the others didn't come her family in the future could still be under threat because no one is changing.
Damned If You Do by Alex Brown
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
From the start of the story to the very end Damned If You Do is a wonderful book. It takes you on the journey of Cordelia who has lived for year with what feels like a whole in who she is after making a deal with Fred, everyone's favorite guidance counselor and demon, to send her abusive father to Hell. She also asks to forget, but when the demon who founded the town is close to becoming bigger and badder with his 100th deal Fred gives her a chance to fill that hole. But from the start it's clear that having that piece of her soul back won't free Cordy from the fear of being just like her father and the guilt for what she's done.
We get to see Cordy navigate this major task of trapping a powerful demon, coming to terms with the choice that saved her in the moment and her and her mother in the long term, and being pushed into really addressing her feelings for her best friend Veronica. And though there are many moments where one or more of these things feel like they're going to be solved, they happen when they should. Taking on the burden over the town makes way for Cordy to handle her personal demon aka her father. And she does that while knowing she has people in her corner and that Veronica, someone she feared would turn their back on her, supports what she needs to do in order to be at peace. And navigating a new romance with your best friend in the world is hard to do when you have life threatening things going on, so it being right after she handles everything else just fits. And yet again it shows her and us that as she goes about dealing with the strained relationship with her mother - and the new possible threat to the town - Veronica will be there by her side in a role that doesn't have her panicking about who has her back.
I would happily take so many more books about this group of people and how they take on things like what they're rushing off to handle at the end of the book. I love them all so much and I think that anyone who gives them a chance will too.
We get to see Cordy navigate this major task of trapping a powerful demon, coming to terms with the choice that saved her in the moment and her and her mother in the long term, and being pushed into really addressing her feelings for her best friend Veronica. And though there are many moments where one or more of these things feel like they're going to be solved, they happen when they should. Taking on the burden over the town makes way for Cordy to handle her personal demon aka her father. And she does that while knowing she has people in her corner and that Veronica, someone she feared would turn their back on her, supports what she needs to do in order to be at peace. And navigating a new romance with your best friend in the world is hard to do when you have life threatening things going on, so it being right after she handles everything else just fits. And yet again it shows her and us that as she goes about dealing with the strained relationship with her mother - and the new possible threat to the town - Veronica will be there by her side in a role that doesn't have her panicking about who has her back.
I would happily take so many more books about this group of people and how they take on things like what they're rushing off to handle at the end of the book. I love them all so much and I think that anyone who gives them a chance will too.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Child abuse and Physical abuse