kay_simmons's reviews
36 reviews

The Selection by Kiera Cass

medium-paced

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

3.0

3⭐️
I honestly thought the book was bland. I finished it because it isn’t the worst I’ve read but not an exciting read at all. The FMC does irk me and I see her as a red flag. I understand feelings are feelings but she also makes such frustrating and irrational decisions. It frustrates me because she has all these expectations of the prince but as soon as he puts boundaries in certain subjects she huffs and puffs and I personally couldn’t stand it. She’s so wishy washy but expects the prince to understand her. Then, she goes off and does what she does with you-know-who. Will I be reading the rest of the series? Most likely not. Almost the entire time, I found myself asking “when will this book end”. The fact that she let you-know-who do what he does to her and disrespect her at the same time. She falls so quickly disregarding the bad he does to her but soon as the prince has an opinion she shifts a cold shoulder.

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh

adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi

adventurous challenging emotional reflective sad fast-paced

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

5.0

What an incredible journey! From the very beginning I was hooked. The author wove this story so amazingly, it definitely tugged at my heartstrings and left me (pretty much) ravenous for more.

The action was so good (even though there isn’t that much) I literally pictured my own self being the MC😅 The plot twists were so good because even as the book ended (and she revealed some of the twists) there’s still so much more questions unanswered that in the end I was ready to dive into book 2 (without even attempting to write the review)!

The FMC was so easy to love and now I’m left wondering about what’s to come for the MMC(… and I guess more of the side characters).

Turning the final page, I was left shocked (because wth). You’re left with so much curiosity and excitement for book 2.

If you haven’t, you NEED to, Happy Reading!

Powerless by Lauren Roberts

adventurous challenging emotional funny mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

If you know of The Hunger Games series, this book has its similarities to that. I personally wasn’t a fan of the hunger games but this book had me in a chokehold. I couldn’t put it down!

The action, the love, the betrayal, the heartbreak, the secrets! Before reading this book, I’ve only saw good reviews on it and after reading it I see why. This deserves all the praise, the hype, and the obsession.

If it’s on your TBR or if it isn’t YET, get to it. I promise you’ll feel all the feels except regret. 

Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

Honestly, was very happy with this read. Was in a slump reading a book before this one that has less pages than this for 12 days (and still counting). I decided to put that book on hold and did a buddy read for this book. It took me 2 days. If that doesn’t say anything about how good it was I don’t know what will.

Almost all of the characters were so lovable, the romance and the spice were enough to not have you bored or cringe. You hopeless romantics would be dragged in and have imposter syndrome. I’m telling you now because I’m going through it… 

I ate this book up and I’m ready for book 2!

For One More Day by Mitch Albom

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-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

5.0

If you haven’t read this and you enjoy philosophical novels, then this is a great read. It’s a tiny book and it is a slow burn. Though it’s slow, it’s very heavy emotionally. My heart broke many times. Not in a ‘I need good cry way’ but I felt like my heart physically shattered and I wanted to hug the FMC. If you’re a parent, it’s heart-rendering. The MMC is an adult and takes a stroll down memory with his mother. In this journey, it’s very eye-opening all his mother did for the love her children. I don’t know how else to say this book is worth reading but it truly is. 

A Thousand Boy Kisses by Tillie Cole

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing sad fast-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

3.75

What a heartbreakingly beautiful book. The story was really good and kind of reminded me of A Walk to Remember. I think I cried almost every chapter.

It was a really good book, if you like that typical-ish teenage love story. I did feel like some parts and emotions were repeated too much (and I understand why), some of it dragged a little longer than needed that it made me kind of snap out of the strong emotions intended for you to feel. It was beautiful nonetheless. From the beginning to the end I was so invested and so happy with the bittersweet ending. Definitely a book to read and experience.

If He Had Been with Me by Laura Nowlin
Did not finish book. Stopped at 24%.

Felt it was too adolescent

for Me. I love A good YA book but this wasn’t it. The FMC was honestly tiresome to read about and I personally didn’t find her lovable (at all). The writing and story telling wasn’t great and it was repetitive. I found myself constantly searching for the ‘pow’ Moment, the point of the story, and it just did not pique my interest.

Shadows of Self by Brandon Sanderson

mysterious medium-paced

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

3.5

I felt like this on dragged a little more than the first book. What I can say is that if you read the first era, you’ll know that the last part of the books are where the ‘boom’ comes in. I did not realize this was gonna go the way it went. Actually shocked. The cons for me was that it was a lot harder to get into compared to the first book (era 2) but I’m not disappointed at all. 

A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas

emotional lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

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

3.5

I thought it was a nice little split from all the bigger war-filled side of the series. I think the one thing that bothers me is, we re on the 4th book and still don’t fully understand why Nesta is truly the way she is. We get the tiniest bits here and there but haven’t fully gotten what her deal is given by the fact that she has her area in the spotlight. Also, the whole deal with that relationship. It’s like the hints are there but never fully brought to light. It’s like getting half-way gossips or being told something that hs no beginning or end (making you question why it’s even mentioned in the first place). Hopefully that gets tied in and giving me and understanding with whatever is going on with her. Elaine’s simple enough to understand. Overall a cute little side special of their life without the big problems.