jenniferspainter's reviews
321 reviews

The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

I love Simone St. James books. They are the perfect mix between the real and the spooky supernatural without being hokey and unbelievable. I loved Viv and Carly and the creepy way their stories unfolded. The narrators of the audiobook were also a perfect match. If you like ghosty mysteries, Simone St. James’ books are for you.

The Neighbor by Lisa Gardner

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was quite the twisted plot and I have questions!!! (SPOILER) Who was Ree’s biological father??? What was the point of Aidan Brewster other than to be the “obvious” suspect because of the leading title of the book? How did Sandra’s father know to show up in Boston if the story wasn’t carried in the national news that early? I honestly couldn’t figure this book out. It was a page turner for sure.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Pedophilia and Child abuse

American Royals by Katharine McGee

lighthearted medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I needed a fluffy, rather mindless light read this last week and this fit the bill. It is very clearly a YA book and I found myself rolling my eyes often at the age old star-crossed lovers heroine/villain plot. But I liked the characters, except for Daphne. Beatrice was my favorite. Since it ended on a cliffhanger I’ll probably read the second book at some point.

Now That You Mention It by Kristan Higgins

emotional slow-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I almost quit this book 1/4 of the way in. But by the end it had almost redeemed itself and I even cried a little. I felt like Nora’s character was too much of a pushover. I realize that was the point of the author, to show how Nora had been bullied and experienced so much misfortune so that she could come out on top in the end. But it was all just a little overblown. Nora was TOO nice and gullible. I wanted her to have a little more spirit and spunk. This was the quintessential Hallmark movie in a book. And I can’t stand the complete mindless fluff that is a Hallmark movie. 😬

The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel

emotional informative sad slow-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

There was no wow factor for me with this book. This was a long but good account of various lives affected by a Ponzi scheme. There are ghosts in this book, but not of the creepy, sinister type. All of the characters are tragic figures, and while I enjoyed the intricate stories of each character’s life and motivations, the book just made me sad. Olivia, Leon and Vincent were my favorites in this pitiful set. This is one of those rather depressing books that I finished reading (listening to) wondering what the point was and what it meant to me. 

The Last Flight by Julie Clark

adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

What a fantastic start to my 2021 reading. This book came highly recommended by two friends and I borrowed the hard copy from one of those friends. I finished it in less than 48 hours. It was that good. I could not stop reading. It was fast paced and so plausible. I liked both Eva and Claire and found myself consistently wondering what I would do in their shoes. I am excited about this new author and where she will go from here since this is only her second book. Go find this book and read it!!

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

5.0

This book totally sucked me into the Outlander series. The first chapter was a little slow, but after that I couldn't put it down...I loved learning the historical facts about Scotland with such a sweet love story woven through.

Voyager by Diana Gabaldon

5.0

This is the only book in this series where I openly cried while reading it. When Claire found Jamie and showed him the pictures of Brianna...I just sobbed...lol. I loved how the story moved through this book. I loved the adventure throughout and never hit a boring part.

The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

2.0

Based on the reviews I read before I got the book, I was prepared to really like this book and not be able to put it down. For me, that was not the case. I didn't really even like the book. I purchased it from Audible and listened to it (which is the way I "read" a lot of books these days) but many many times throughout the story I wanted to just cut it off and move on to a new book. Had I been reading the actual hard copy book I would have done just that...but audiobooks are expensive so I toughed it out. I liked the love story and some of the history but overall I was bored out of my mind with the tediousness of the story. I tired very quickly of all the hatred and malice intertwined throughout the plot and felt like overall the book was very depressing. This just wasn't my kind of book and it definitely does not leave me wanting to read the sequel! I do not recommend it and don't feel better for having read it.

The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy

5.0

One of my favorite books of all time...haven't read it in a while but am hoping to read it again soon.