jenniee_reads's reviews
74 reviews

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

After researching a lot, I decided to read this first, as the start of the Throne of Glass series. Was this the best thing I have ever read? Not at all. It was definitely slow at certain points, but I understand why it was broken up into 5 novellas. I think that knowing Celaena’s backstory will be very beneficial in understanding her motives and why she is the way she is when continuing through the series.

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The Change by Kirsten Miller

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny 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? Yes

3.5

I came across this while browsing through Libby and decided to borrow it without reading the synopsis so I had absolutely no idea what it was even about or what to expect. Am I mad about it? Nope. Overall, it was pretty good. The characters were awesome and I laughed out loud more than a few times. I did think it was a little long and I found myself getting bored during the last 25% though. I am all about female empowerment and all that but I feel like this was a lot and almost trying too hard but also fell short in some ways. I listened to this on audio and loved the narration. I’m going to think on it for a couple days and maybe come back and update this review but for now it was just alright.

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The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I don’t know why I waited so long to read this. I think I was worried that it wouldn’t live up to the hype, but I was so wrong. I did guess the twist very early on, but I still couldn’t put this book down and ended up flying through it in just a couple days (which is a lot when you work 12+ hours almost everyday). Thrillers are my favorites and Frieda McFadden can do no wrong. Definitely an auto-buy author!

Content Warnings

The Last Chance Library by Freya Sampson

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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

3.0

I have been reading a lot of fantasy books lately and needed something light and easy as a buffer. I felt that this was pretty slow in the beginning, but it picked up after a few chapters and I found myself rooting for the characters and their cause to save the library. I love how unique each of the characters are, and although predictable, I felt the ending was perfect and tied everything up nicely. I randomly picked this up and it did exactly what I needed it to do.

Content Warnings

I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

I have never really watched iCarly but I picked this up on a whim when I was at the bookstore and it is easily a 5 star read. Even though I bought the physical book, I’m so glad I decided to listen to this on audio because you can hear all of the emotion and vulnerability in Jennette’s voice. Although heartbreaking and hard to listen to at times, it is so well-written and I love how raw and open Jennette is in retelling every aspect of her life. Definitely a rollercoaster of emotions but I highly recommend it!

Content Warnings

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense fast-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

5.0

I put off reading this book for so long because I was so intimidated by its size. 700 pages is truly a commitment. With that being said, I figured why not make it my first read of 2024 and just get it over with. (I’m late to the game. I know.)

Let me just say that I love the world that SJM has created and I am totally invested in these characters like I actually know them. I love how each character has a detailed background. It really makes you feel for them. I felt every emotion right along with the characters. Laughter. Shock. Sadness. Everything.

The war was obviously the main focus of this book but, because of that, it was so fast paced and made me want to keep reading just to see if the characters made it out okay!

I know the second book is a lot of people’s favorites but I think this one is it for me. I read this in a week which is really saying something for someone who has 2 jobs and works 12+ hours everyday.

SJM’s writing is spot on and is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.

Content Warnings

Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun by Elle Cosimano

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adventurous emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is the third in the Finlay Donovan series and I loved it just as much as the previous two, although, I can’t really say much about the plot without giving anything away, since the events of the first two books lead up to this one. I loved reading how Finlay and Nick’s relationship played out and Steven is literally still the worst. I read a lot of fantasy books and this series has been a great pallet cleanser when I need something lighthearted and easy to read. Can’t wait for the next one!

A Cross-Country Christmas by Courtney Walsh

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adventurous funny 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

5.0

This was such an easy 5 star read for me. I was looking for something quick and light to read for the holidays and I finished this in 2 days and did not want it to end. That’s how much I loved it. The banter between Lauren and Will was perfect and I caught myself giggling to myself quite often. The dual POVs were a nice added touch and, to be honest, I appreciate that it was a clean romance. I also just really like a good road trip story. I’m a sucker for a good cheesy Hallmark Christmas story, so if that’s your vibe then definitely give this a shot!

Content Warnings

In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren

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funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This one took me a while to read and I don’t really know what to say about it. I feel like it was very slow to begin with but then also felt really rushed. I almost wish there was more time travel because I liked the time travel element. I feel like Mae got brought back in time a few times relatively quickly in the first half of the book, but then it just completely stopped. I loved all of the characters for the most part (everyone needs a Benny) and some conversations between Andrew and Mae had me giggling. I think I just wish there was more to the plot. I know it’s a romcom, and it was very hallmark-y, but I feel like the plot was not there. Would I read it again? No, but it’s still a decent read for December and Christmas time. Overall, just alright.

Content Warnings

Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren

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emotional funny sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I have been seeing this book everywhere, so I finally decided to give it a shot and to be honest, it was just… okay. I think because it was soooo hyped up, my expectations were just really high and I wanted to love it, but unfortunately I didn’t. It was a cute story but I definitely saw some red flags in Elliot.

Him breaking up with his girlfriend of 5 years after seeing Macy for literally 2 minutes after 11 years does not give me good vibes.

Macy also just generally annoyed me and some of their flashback conversations were so awkward to read. So many people love this, but it just didn’t do it for me. I have been on a roll lately, so onto the next Christina Lauren book!

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jenniee_reads's reviews 74 reviews

jenniee_reads's reviews
74 reviews