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juliannewarren12's reviews
71 reviews
Men Have Called Her Crazy by Anna Marie Tendler
Did not finish book. Stopped at 13%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 13%.
This is so drawn out and boring sorry.
I'll Get Back to You by Becca Grischow
relaxing
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
2.5
This book was a sweet story and easy read that I finished in a day and a half, but it was not for me.
The characters didn’t have much depth to them to where it was hard to care about anyone. I wish that there was more backstory and/or flashbacks to a younger Murphy and Kat. I also feel
like more time spent on how Kat got distant during college with a new boyfriend could’ve helped. I also think that more insight into the parents would’ve made them seem less like assholes who didn’t care about their daughter.
Murphy and Ellie’s relationship felt bland and lacked any real connection. I was honestly way more invested in Murphy’s plans for the future and Sip than the relationship. I think this book really could’ve benefitted from a dual POV of Murphy and Ellie to add more to the overall relationship and chemistry.
I did like the dynamic between Murphy and Kara/Professor Meyers. Honestly that was my favorite relationship in this book as she seemed to be the only person who cared to see Murphy succeed.
Despite the lack of depth to these characters, they were still pretty relatable. I think we have all had a Kat and Daniel couple in our lives (and maybe even been them, oops!)
The characters didn’t have much depth to them to where it was hard to care about anyone. I wish that there was more backstory and/or flashbacks to a younger Murphy and Kat. I also feel
like more time spent on how Kat got distant during college with a new boyfriend could’ve helped. I also think that more insight into the parents would’ve made them seem less like assholes who didn’t care about their daughter.
Murphy and Ellie’s relationship felt bland and lacked any real connection. I was honestly way more invested in Murphy’s plans for the future and Sip than the relationship. I think this book really could’ve benefitted from a dual POV of Murphy and Ellie to add more to the overall relationship and chemistry.
I did like the dynamic between Murphy and Kara/Professor Meyers. Honestly that was my favorite relationship in this book as she seemed to be the only person who cared to see Murphy succeed.
Despite the lack of depth to these characters, they were still pretty relatable. I think we have all had a Kat and Daniel couple in our lives (and maybe even been them, oops!)
The Women by Kristin Hannah
challenging
dark
emotional
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
5.0
This was a 6 star read for me. The story was so emotional and powerful that left me with complex emotions. If you are planning to read this book anytime soon, grab your tissues now.
I loved the sisterhood bond between the female characters that KH seems to write so well. I adore how strong the relationship between Frankie, Barb, and Ethel was. I think KH did an amazing job with Frankie’s character development. It was very fragile and non-linear that felt very realistic.
Addressing many aspects of war (and not just being a nurse there) such as POWs, America’s opinion, “good days”, personal relationships, etc truly made this story feel like you were watching a documentary. As the reader, I felt so immersed into the story that every emotion was so strong.
It is apparent that KH put so much time and effort into making this accurate and respecting actual Vietnam Veterans. I think that the clear respect for real life is what made this book so well done and well received.
I loved loved loved the plot ofRye and Frankie, how he lied to her twice. While I was obviously sad for her, the double betrayal gave me very complex feelings and got me thinking about my own life.
Having Jamie come back at the end totally surprised me. I had a feeling that someone was “going to come back from the dead” but I didn’t expect it to happen multiple times. I thought the whole minor sub-plot of Frankie losing her morals to sleep with Rye while he’s married but refusing Jamie just to end up with Jamie was more
thought provoking than meant to be. It was sweet how she stayed true to her morals with Jamie and he ended up being the good guy she needed. (Assuming they got together at the end)
‘Women’ left me emotional and wanting more at the end. It was my best read of this year so far and I will be recommending it to everyone.
I loved the sisterhood bond between the female characters that KH seems to write so well. I adore how strong the relationship between Frankie, Barb, and Ethel was. I think KH did an amazing job with Frankie’s character development. It was very fragile and non-linear that felt very realistic.
Addressing many aspects of war (and not just being a nurse there) such as POWs, America’s opinion, “good days”, personal relationships, etc truly made this story feel like you were watching a documentary. As the reader, I felt so immersed into the story that every emotion was so strong.
It is apparent that KH put so much time and effort into making this accurate and respecting actual Vietnam Veterans. I think that the clear respect for real life is what made this book so well done and well received.
I loved loved loved the plot of
Having Jamie come back at the end totally surprised me. I had a feeling that someone was “going to come back from the dead” but I didn’t expect it to happen multiple times. I thought the whole minor sub-plot of Frankie losing her morals to sleep with Rye while he’s married but refusing Jamie just to end up with Jamie was more
thought provoking than meant to be. It was sweet how she stayed true to her morals with Jamie and he ended up being the good guy she needed. (Assuming they got together at the end)
‘Women’ left me emotional and wanting more at the end. It was my best read of this year so far and I will be recommending it to everyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Miscarriage, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug use, Car accident
Styled: Secrets for Arranging Rooms, from Tabletops to Bookshelves by Angelin Borsics, Emily Henderson
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
3.25
I enjoyed the first half of this book but by the second half we don’t need a breakdown of every single aspect. There are some good tips and inspiration but it does start to get repetitive. This book could be 200ish pages and be better. The sample pictures were fun to look at but honestly a lot of them seemed similar and not “risky”/out there enough to make it into a style book.
Minimalista: Your Step-by-Step Guide to a Better Home, Wardrobe, and Life by Shira Gill
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
2.75
This book could be cut in half to be honest… Part two is very repetitive and doesn’t provide any new information. This book is helpful but you can find everything in this book elsewhere. I mean, you probably have heard all of this information already and don’t need to go looking for it.
I was inspired to start decluttering and feel less overwhelmed, but I didn’t need to read 300 pages to feel this way.
I was inspired to start decluttering and feel less overwhelmed, but I didn’t need to read 300 pages to feel this way.
Kilt Trip by Alexandra Kiley
emotional
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
3.0
Kilt Trip is a cute story with lovable characters. It’s an easy read perfect for a beach or pool read. The enemies to lovers and breakup-get back together tropes aren’t anything new in this book but it’s still cute.
I don’t love romance books written in third person but Addie and Logan are well written characters that make it feel like first person. I think the dual POV helps as well.
The romance is cute and built up well but my favorite part was Addie grieving her mother. The author does a great job at describing the grief and damage it does on the griever in a beautiful way that pulls at your heart strings.Having Addie’s growth be tied into the damage of her grieving was displayed wonderfully during the scene of visiting the sites in the pictures. The whole scene was so emotional it made me cry.
Seeing both Addie and Logan having to figure out and “fix” each others flaws made the romance feel so real and evolved.
I don’t love romance books written in third person but Addie and Logan are well written characters that make it feel like first person. I think the dual POV helps as well.
The romance is cute and built up well but my favorite part was Addie grieving her mother. The author does a great job at describing the grief and damage it does on the griever in a beautiful way that pulls at your heart strings.
Seeing both Addie and Logan having to figure out and “fix” each others flaws made the romance feel so real and evolved.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death of parent
Down the Drain by Julia Fox
dark
fast-paced
4.0
This memoir has a chatty writing style that makes you feel like you are talking to Julia herself. It is a very dark story with lots of horrible things happening, both to Julia and by Julia. It is not as reflective as other memoirs, but it is a good look into her life.
I appreciate how she was able to describe just how dark situations were without getting too graphic. Instances of SA, DV, drug abuse, and death were all mentioned frequently, but never over-described to the point of making me uncomfortable. This books shows a rough upbringing and how she had just as rough an adulthood despite becoming famous. Julia is so candid and refreshingly honest in this book. I gained a lot more respect for her after reading this.
I appreciate how she was able to describe just how dark situations were without getting too graphic. Instances of SA, DV, drug abuse, and death were all mentioned frequently, but never over-described to the point of making me uncomfortable. This books shows a rough upbringing and how she had just as rough an adulthood despite becoming famous. Julia is so candid and refreshingly honest in this book. I gained a lot more respect for her after reading this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse
Moderate: Suicide, Violence, Vomit, Abortion
Cash Delgado Is Living the Dream by Tehlor Kay Mejia
lighthearted
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
2.5
This book was a very quick and easy read. I enjoyed reading something lighthearted and not complex, but it was slow for the first half of the story. It took a while to actually get into it and didn’t pick up until the last few chapters in my opinion. While the characters were all generally likable, there wasn’t much depth to them. This made it hard to feel for them or hate them like we are supposed to hate Chase. The romance in this book was lacking chemistry which I blame due to the characters being surface level.
This was a cute book with good representation, but it won’t be one I remember next month.
This was a cute book with good representation, but it won’t be one I remember next month.
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney
Did not finish book. Stopped at 15%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 15%.
I just can’t get into this at all… the conversations are all so awkward and drawn out. I had to force myself to read this even to get to 70 pages but just can’t get further. I DNFd Normal People too so I think I just don’t like Sally Rooney’s writing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I enjoyed the structure of the book. Having each chapter be a story of a different person in Eva’s life throughout different time periods was very uniquely done. However, I didn’t like most of the characters. Eva seemed nice but her character felt so impersonable the older she got as if we didnt really know much about her personality after she was 11. I enjoyed Lars the most but of course he dies right away. I hatedddd Barque but at the same time that chapter from her college days was my favorite. I felt like that was the only chapter that we truly learned about Eva.
There were a lot of loose ends that I wish were tied up better, especially with the ending of Pat Praeger’s chapter. This didn’t bother me too much because I think the ending did a good job giving closure for all of the main characters mentioned throughout.
Overall, this book didn’t make me feel emotional in any way but it was still a nice read. I would recommend this to others as i’m sure many others would enjoy it better than I did.
There were a lot of loose ends that I wish were tied up better, especially with the ending of Pat Praeger’s chapter. This didn’t bother me too much because I think the ending did a good job giving closure for all of the main characters mentioned throughout.
Overall, this book didn’t make me feel emotional in any way but it was still a nice read. I would recommend this to others as i’m sure many others would enjoy it better than I did.