jmelauren's reviews
144 reviews

If Only I Had Told Her by Laura Nowlin

Go to review page

emotional sad medium-paced

4.0

This just did not give me the exquisitely depressed feeling I got with He Should Have Been With Me. 

Maybe because there was no unrequited romance, maybe because Finny was dead, maybe because I listened instead of read, maybe because it wasn't just one beautiful story. Who knows?

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Rebel by Rebecca Yarros

Go to review page

adventurous emotional fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Rebel by Rebecca Yarros 
Age gap
Professor/ student
Forbidden romance 
Xtreme sports staar
Spicy

Honestly the age gap wasn't as huge as the book made it seem, but there were scenes that made me feel uncomfortable because they were so student teachery and just made me forget their ages.

When they were just Penelope and Cruz, they made me swoony. Penelope was really vulnerable and didn't try to put on this act around Cruz. And Cruz just genuinely cared about Penelope and wanted to be there for her.

I loved the twist at the end. I love all Rebecca Yarros twists in her romance books.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Come Sundown by Nora Roberts

Go to review page

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Romantic thriller
Kidnap, rape, murder
Multiple POV
Sexy time

I like how Nora Roberts' writes feminism, it feels real.

The blurb on goodreads really does not do this book justice. This book is about a young woman being abducted and held prisoner for over ten years. Her escape, and her family coming together to help and support her when she comes home.

Yes there's murder and mystery and love stories, but that's background.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
On The Way To The Wedding by Julia Quinn

Go to review page

emotional funny lighthearted slow-paced

4.0

Historical romance 
Dual POV 
Bait and switch

I liked Lucy and Gregory, I just didn't get that swoony feeling.

I found it super annoying how often Gregory repeated "I love you." Which seems like a weird complaint of a romance novel, but any worry or doubt Lucy voiced was just answered with an I love you. As if that were a practical solution to any problem. 

He also repeated her name far too often.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
How Lucky by Will Leitch

Go to review page

emotional mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0


I think naming technology has the ability to date a book. I think saying something as simple as chatting online or messaging can be simple and direct and even easier for people unfamiliar with the social media platform. There were a few different ones mentioned here, but I only know what one is, and even that has a different name now.

The communication through looks thing is a bit much. Sure it's happened to me so I get what he's saying. But he's talking about having full on discussion with people through eye contact. It's pretty hard to buy.

Daniel mentions that his disability is the last thing people want to talk about. I am here as a disabled person telling you that this is far from true. Why I am using a wheelchair is something complete strangers feel is their right to know.

The whole part about him understanding how his existence makes people uncomfortable made me feel very uncomfortable. Like people with disabilities should just hide away so able bodied people can feel better or something.

Very weird that he's answering questions he assumes we'll ask. It's very info dumpy and a bizarre weird style.

I found this style rather annoying. It was like a bunch of little anecdotes rather than just following a story.

The way that the police officer completely dismissed him and didn't even try to communicate was very disturbing and then didn't even take what he said seriously was shocking. He was an eyewitness! 

Weird that when there's mud and boot prints stomped all over inside the house they don't even consider that it came from someone who shouldn't be inside the house! 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Make You Mine This Christmas by Lizzie Huxley-Jones

Go to review page

emotional funny lighthearted relaxing

3.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law by Haben Girma

Go to review page

3.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings
The Silence Between Us by Alison Gervais

Go to review page

emotional medium-paced

3.0

After reading some reviews I learned that ASL was actually in the book and I kinda wished I read it instead of listening to it.

I can not say for sure as I am not deaf, but there was great representation here! Actually speaking the way ASL is communicated. For example, simply saying "school, now" instead of "okay I'm ready for school now". It's very interesting. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi

Go to review page

dark emotional tense

3.0