karessa_proctor's reviews
133 reviews

The Widow's Husband's Secret Lie: A Satirical Novella by Freida McFadden

3.0

I definitely had a few good chuckles at this satirical novel but some of the humor just did not land for me.

Worst Wingman Ever by Abby Jimenez

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.75

This author always somehow makes me root for the couple! I also always audibly laugh and cry at her writing. 

See How They Run by Rachel Howzell Hall

2.0

This is listed as scary/suspense but it was neither scary nor suspenseful. It was honestly hard to follow at time and the writing didn’t make me truly care or root for anyone. It was somewhat entertaining but a skip unless you have other things to read/listen to. 

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense fast-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? It's complicated

4.5

- The love story here was probably the most *real* of the Part of Your World Series. 
- The serious topics were handled with love and care. You can tell the author really did her research here and cared about how she portrayed the characters as they are struggling with hard things. 
- Parts were so funny that I laughed out loud and other parts were so sad that tears would not stop flowing. 
- The character development… chefs kiss
- Docking points because while I felt like the love story was real and deeply there - I didn’t feel as much of the yearning like I did in the first two books. 

Tell Her Story by Margot Hunt

mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.0

The story was really interesting. It’s perfect if you need something to listen to on a drive. Dakota Fanning really brought the story to life. I do think the ending was just a bit rushed through but it’s good overall. 

Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

-As someone who has deeply struggled with anxiety my entire life, I felt so seen by this book. To be loved is to be understood. This books truly felt like a love letter (no pun intended but if you know you know) 
- I liked that things weren’t just perfect the second they got together because that’s just not realistic. This aspect made their love story feel more real 
- This book made me laugh but boy did I also cry. 
- I did start to feel frustrated when they wouldn’t just communicate their feelings. Obviously this is the miscommunication trope but at one point I was like jeez this could all be solved with a single sentence.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment

Moderate: Miscarriage

Minor: Suicide

The House on the Water by Margot Hunt

mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

2.5

I guess I was entertained while listening in the car but I was underwhelmed. One “twist” you saw coming and the other was just not as shocking as you’d hope. 

One Little Mistake by Lucinda Berry

emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.0

This was entertaining and I am glad that I finished it because I almost DNF’d it in the beginning. I think this would have been better as a full book instead of a short story. It felt like a lot of things were left out or that we should have dived deeper into the topic. 

Sun Tzu: The Art of War by Sun Tzu

3.75

Poirot Investigates by Agatha Christie

adventurous mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

3.25

In general, this is good. I was entertained. It just is not AS good or thrilling as the actual books. I would recommend these though to someone who wanted a quick read to keep them busy.