katey_'s reviews
991 reviews

Sisters of the Lost Nation by Nick Medina

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

I have mixed feelings here. The characters were rich, complex and well-written, and the story is an incredibly important one. But I feel like the format of the book didn’t do it many favors, unfortunately, and left me confused at times. The abrupt twist at the end also happened very quickly without the reader having time to process. I’d also say this is more in the thriller category than horror. That said, I enjoyed reading it.  

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Trafficking, Kidnapping, and Murder

Wild Love by Elsie Silver

emotional funny 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? No

2.5

Where Coyotes Howl by Sandra Dallas

challenging emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.5

I think this might be the saddest book I've ever read. I couldn't even count the number of times my jaw dropped or I straight up said "oh, come on," out loud. That being said, it's a beautiful story about how love endures through unthinkable hardship and heartbreak. This type of historical fiction isn't my usual genre, so I'm really glad I picked it up! It might end up being one of my favorite books this year. 

A False Start by Elsie Silver

emotional lighthearted 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

3.0

these books are straight up candy and i have no shame

The Catch by Amy Lea

emotional funny 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? No

4.0

Amy Lea's writing -- *especially* in this series -- is so fun and swoony. I'm really sad to see this series end! This one had all of my favorite tropes: enemies to lovers, opposites attract, fake dating, city vs. small town, grumpy/sunshine...all the hits, truly!

Dream On by Angie Hockman

emotional lighthearted 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

3.5

Cute! I loved Angie Hockman's "Shipped" so much that my expectations were really high for this one, but sadly I didn't love it quite as much. I did really enjoy it, though! It's a charming premise -- a woman who wakes up from a coma with memories of dating somebody she's never even met, and as far as she knows, doesn't exist...until she actually meets him one day and starts to solve the mystery of her memories, falling for him in the process.

There's a twist in this one I wasn't expecting, so it's hard to review it without spoilers, so I'll just leave it there. :)

Bourdain: The Definitive Oral Biography by Laurie Woolever

adventurous dark reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

What a brilliant idea it was to have everyone interviewed for this oral history voice their sections. It made this feel like a really long podcast and made it all the more emotional to listen to. It’s exhaustive, hilarious and heartbreaking all at once. 

Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Sooooooo swoony. Another must-read for your summer shelf. I'm a total sucker for a second-chance romance, so I knew I was going to fall in love with this one, and I did instantly. The setting is idyllic, the characters complex. Delightful. 

With You Forever by Chloe Liese

3.5

Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby

dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Wow. This book made my heart pound for so many reasons. S.A. Cosby has become a must-read author for me. He writes with nuance and honesty about big topics: race, bigotry, family, love. This book is graphic and thrilling, while at the same time tender. Wow again.