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katiemack's reviews
1259 reviews
How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I can see why Yulin Kuang was hired to adapt Emily Henry's books; both authors are adept at creating beautiful romances from honest, vulnerable portrayals of grief and trauma. Truthfully, I was less convinced by Helen and Grant's romance and insta-lust than I thought I'd be (though the forced proximity helps here), but their chemistry is visceral enough to make them intriguing. I also appreciated that both acknowledge the amount of healing they had to do from Michelle's suicide.
I can see why Yulin Kuang was hired to adapt Emily Henry's books; both authors are adept at creating beautiful romances from honest, vulnerable portrayals of grief and trauma. Truthfully, I was less convinced by Helen and Grant's romance and insta-lust than I thought I'd be (though the forced proximity helps here), but their chemistry is visceral enough to make them intriguing. I also appreciated that both acknowledge the amount of healing they had to do from Michelle's suicide.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Car accident
Moderate: Child death
Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club by J. Ryan Stradal
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.0
I didn't love all the gut-punches, but I greatly appreciate the intimate view of family and small-town Midwestern life J. Ryan Stradal has created.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Child death
Moderate: Cancer
Dominoes by Phoebe McIntosh
challenging
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
As much as I wished Andy and Sera had both done more to explore the gnarled nest of issues within Layla's identity, I loved the thoughtfulness with which Phoebe McIntosh tells her story and the way she explores her family history. (Speaking of family, I adored everyone in Layla's extended and immediate family!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Slavery
Happily Never After by Lynn Painter
3.75
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The premise made this start out incredibly strong, and I loved seeing Sophie and Max's relationship develop and reading their banter. The main story fizzles out after a while (kind of wish they'd kept up with the objector premise), but it's still a fun read.
The premise made this start out incredibly strong, and I loved seeing Sophie and Max's relationship develop and reading their banter. The main story fizzles out after a while (kind of wish they'd kept up with the objector premise), but it's still a fun read.
The Other Lola by Ripley Jones
2.75
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed reading this for the exploration of Blair and Cam's interpersonal relationships and self-reflection, but I was disappointed in this sequel. The actual mystery isn't fleshed out, and the revelation feels half-hearted and rushed. There are also a few aspects that don't make sense; it seems like Ripley Jones just threw them in there without storyboarding or planning.
I'd still recommend this for a quick read and continuation of Blair and Cam's stories, but the first book is much better.
I enjoyed reading this for the exploration of Blair and Cam's interpersonal relationships and self-reflection, but I was disappointed in this sequel. The actual mystery isn't fleshed out, and the revelation feels half-hearted and rushed. There are also a few aspects that don't make sense; it seems like Ripley Jones just threw them in there without storyboarding or planning.
I'd still recommend this for a quick read and continuation of Blair and Cam's stories, but the first book is much better.
The Hunter by Tana French
4.0
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I'm woefully late to reviewing this, but I did enjoy it! I haven't read Tana French in years but liked her Dublin Murder Squad series well enough, so I requested this one not realizing it was a sequel. I've had friends tell me they didn't care much for Cal Hooper in the first book and that the pacing is too slow; this features Trey more than Cal and clips along toward the end (though it drags a touch at the beginning as French establishes a sense of place), so those who didn't enjoy the first one might like the second. Oof; what a village...
I'm woefully late to reviewing this, but I did enjoy it! I haven't read Tana French in years but liked her Dublin Murder Squad series well enough, so I requested this one not realizing it was a sequel. I've had friends tell me they didn't care much for Cal Hooper in the first book and that the pacing is too slow; this features Trey more than Cal and clips along toward the end (though it drags a touch at the beginning as French establishes a sense of place), so those who didn't enjoy the first one might like the second. Oof; what a village...
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Murder, and Death
The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Terminal illness, Child death, and Dementia
No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model by Richard C. Schwartz
informative
medium-paced
I'd never heard of the Internal Family Systems model before reading this book, but conceptually it makes sense to me. (I've often felt like I have different parts within myself that are either working together or at war with one another.) While the exercises here are described well, I couldn't get into them--I'd rather work with a professional--and some of the concepts Dr. Schwartz describes feel a little...ethereal? Still, it's an interesting topic and one I'd like to explore further.
Women of Good Fortune by Sophie Wan
4.0
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I love a good heist novel, so this was a quick, fun read for me. The friendship between Jane, Rina, and Lulu is the strongest aspect, but I also enjoyed the laugh-out-loud madcap moments and the slow burn of the romance (won't spoil it here, but it's obvious once you start reading).
I love a good heist novel, so this was a quick, fun read for me. The friendship between Jane, Rina, and Lulu is the strongest aspect, but I also enjoyed the laugh-out-loud madcap moments and the slow burn of the romance (won't spoil it here, but it's obvious once you start reading).