josephines_library's Reviews (101)

The Single Mums' Book Club

Victoria Cooke

4.0

lighthearted

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: N/A

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Can we give a round of applause to all the mums? You are warriors!

This book was first and foremost a self-love journey before it was a romance novel. A coming of age novel for

Stephanie is a former bookkeeper, divorced mum of three who is learning how to navigate life after her husband decides he can’t do it anymore. She meets Janey, her neighbor who is also going through life with a physically and mentally absent husband, and Amanda, a recently widowed older woman, and together they form the Single Mum’s Book Club. Their dynamic really shows how friendships can be formed as we mature and don’t have work or school to help with facilitating it.

Stephanie and Mike do a great job of showing the nuances of learning to co-parent (or actually parent for the first time on Mike’s side) and it shows how not every parental relationship needs to be completely one-sided. But her relationship with Edward, the hottie vet a village over (and her boss), is so natural and adorable, I squealed every time they were together. Edward is a quirky, awkward, but super nice gentleman, who accepts Steph for who she is and loves her because of everything she brings to the table, not despite it, and is even excited to spend time with her children.

4 out of 5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and HQ (Harper Collins) for providing me with the eARC and the opportunity to read this work of art and for letting me meet an amazing author.

World's Worst Boyfriend

Carina Taylor

5.0

funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This book was amazing! I read it in one sitting, it’s so beautifully written and targets a different angle of relationships that aren’t really mentioned.

I loved the fact that Saidy’s last name is Perez, it’s a family name so I felt more connected to her. But the thing I loved most that she discovered throughout the book was that just because what you want to do isn’t what others approved of (family, friends, loved ones, strangers) it doesn’t mean that your life is going in the wrong direction. While they may have your best interests at heart, ultimately it is you who is living the life, so make the decisions that best fit your needs, wants, and goals.

I started off hating men, as the title of the book eludes too, but the plot twist early on in the book really put things in perspective (read: I squealed with giddiness knowing Fletcher wasn’t an absolute asshole). I loved how the relationship was already established and it showed their growth as individuals and a couple, it really sets the book apart and gives another perspective from other romance novels. Their love and dynamic was soo cute, and I loved Saidy’s relationship with her parents and the variety of friends she has, although friendship breakups suck, she grew in that area too.

Overall, READ THIS BOOK! You need it in your life.

Quick takes: fast read, established relationship, undercover romance, podcast influence, breakup but not really

SPOILER: I can’t wait for the trophy to come down!! Omg I need at least an extra chapter/book for that 😉

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with the eARC and the opportunity to read this work of art and for letting me meet an amazing author. Adding her books to my tbr to binge later 😊

The House Swap

Jo Lovett

3.0

emotional reflective slow-paced

If you love a slow burn, fall in love over phone, international kind of romance, you have to check out The House Swap.

I’m not a slow burn kind of person, so it took me so long to actually see when the characters would get together. They’re in different countries for most of the book-living in each other’s houses-with phone calls the only way they communicate, but when they finally end up together, they’re full head over heels in love.

James also caused me so much stress at the beginning because he’s the complete opposite of thoughtful and welcoming Cassie, but ultimately he developed so much that I felt so proud of him.

I loved Cassie’s diversity, but I would’ve liked to see more of her roots and learn more about the novels she wrote. However, she’s a soft kind of strong character. Stands up for what she likes and her lifestyle and doesn’t care or budge if it doesn’t fit in with what others think she should be doing or how she should be living. (and random side note: I would have loved for the character image on the cover to show her tanned skin and curls! That also threw me off when I read and saw that she had Jordanian roots)

The description of Cassie’s home on the island gave me such an itch to want my own wildlife oasis in Maine, alpacas and chickens included and now I want to visit London and Glasgow even more. The side characters were superb here! The island life was popping, everyone is their own person and could easily have their own entertaining and beautiful short story.

Trigger warnings: pregnancy struggles, miscarriage, IVF, mentions of alcoholism, abusive households.

Thanks to @netgalley and @bookouture for providing me with the eARC and the opportunity to read this work of art

Content Warnings

The Kindred Spirits Supper Club

Amy E. Reichert

5.0

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective 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

“My Tamagotchi is still alive and its name is Tamagotchi Hanks”

This book was...so beautifully written. I went in knowing nothing about it, drawn in by the quirky title and gorgeous cover and can honestly say I am so amazingly surprised. This book is definitely a hangover cure, just what the doctor prescribed after finishing ACOSF: a romance novel, fun, exciting, with a dash of supernatural, and the realities of adulting.

If you like the fake dating trope, this book has that but not in the angsty way we’re used to. One of them knows what they want and isn’t afraid to share it which makes the other be more hesitant about what a relationship means in the long run (reminds me of me a bit...eep).

Mental health--anxiety and panic attacks--are a big part of this book. Reichert was so eloquent in writing it in such a realistic way along with coping mechanisms and treatments.

Overall, I looooved this book!

Thanks to NetGaley and Berkeley Pub for providing me with the eARC and the opportunity to read this work of art.

Content Warnings

A Court of Silver Flames

Sarah J. Maas

5.0

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I absolutely loved this book. At first I thought I wasn’t going to like the fact that it wasn’t a Feyre-Rhys centric story, but I have been pleasantly surprised. This story touched upon trauma, predominately at the hands of men, and the various ways in which we as women are changed, live with, and grow from the imposed events.

Be prepared for a book hangover though. It’s big enough that it took me a couple of days to finish so it felt like coming home, opening the pages and returning to the world, but once it was done I felt like 😮...I need more...

By far ACOSF is my second favorite story in the acotar world and I can’t wait for the next one!

Now the spoiler-centered review

OMG. NESTA.

She is such a badass, ugh. I loved how her story has parallels to Feyre’s but is also even more realistic and raw. She struggles with addiction, with forgiving herself, and growing from the pain of the past and for me it’s important to see that not everyone can bounce back from trauma. I liked how Nesta also had to go through the process of making her own friends, in the previous books and in a lot of otherones, there’s always the new girl immediately becoming friends with her partner’s friends--and although that’s not a bad thing, it’s also important to depict a protagonist making and nurturing her own friendships outside of the romantic relationship.

All the women in this story are fucking queens. I feel such kinship with them and am now inspired to workout and train because if I was in that world, sign me up to be a Valkyrie.

Other random thoughts--the ending? Superb. The rite? Hunger Games vibey but still well written. Made me dislike men more but also gave me such an appreciation for the women’s mental and physical strength, ugh Emerie and Gywn are so powerful. The angst? Why did it take soooo long for Cassian and Nesta to admit their feelings? I wanted to just push them together like the tangled unicorn meme (swipe left). But I also appreciated the acknowledgement and respect for Nesta’s feelings and wellbeing on Cassian’s side and her ability to want to protect Cassian from herself (her negativity and anxiety talking, but they are perfect for eachother).

Overall, I love it and highly recommend it: 5/5

Content Warnings

The Hunger Games

Suzanne Collins

3.0

medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Honey Girl

Morgan Rogers

5.0

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-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

This book came to me at the ideal time in my life. Reading the synopsis gave me the “this book is made for me” feeling I’ve felt only a handful of times in my life. I loved feeling seen and not alone in my thoughts.

Porter really demonstrates the difficulties and nuances of moving up in a field, working non stop and then hitting a wall and not knowing what is next. It also cemented my belief that everyone needs therapy, another plus since I just signed up for it myself.

This book is for those who find themselves at the precipice of change, who are unsure if everything they’ve worked for is what they want out of life, who have supportive but difficult relationships with loved ones and crave the desire to be loved as they are without fear of judgement. It’s for those who love an extremely diverse cast, in both ethnicity, culture, and sexual preferences.

~spoilers.favorites.more~

My favorite parts were when Porter went to NY to meet up with her wife Yuki (love of my life, spirit child that I aspire to tap into) and when she went back home to Florida.

It was beautiful how Rogers depicted the spiritual and emotional growth that Porter was having during both mental breaks. One showed the running away aspect of growth, needing to distance oneself from the environment that is stunting us, while the other is stopping to take measure of what is happening and to make a plan to move forward.

I cried during the last couple of chapters, seeing Porter’s emotions mirrored in mine, and reading what I needed to hear in order to move myself forward as well.

Although it’s not a self help book, Honey Girl, served as one for me and I thank Rogers for bringing this beautiful story into the world.

Overall: 5/5

Spice: ⅕

Diversity: 6/5

Warnings: mentions of self harm, consistent talk of anxiety and depression

Content Warnings