kvangundy's reviews
1210 reviews

Crow Mary by Kathleen Grissom

adventurous dark emotional informative tense fast-paced

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

5.0

 I absolutely loved The Kitchen House by Grissom, so when this book became available, I had to read it, and boy, was it good. In true Grissom fashion, she told an amazing story of the Crow tribe and how their way of life was disrupted. It addressed this and brought to life how the females who married the "yellow" men were treated and what their lives were like once leaving their tribes. Crow Mary was an absolute bad#** and did not take any crap from anyone. I loved the way Grissom wrote her character. I will be recommending this book to everyone. Thank you, NetGalley, for the eARC. 5 stars. 

Charm City Rocks by Matthew Norman

emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

4.0

 This was so much fun. I love anything related to pianos, love stories, and where the underdog wins in the end. Billy has never gotten over his teenage crush on rock star Margot Hammer. When his son impersonates a young girl drummer in hopes of getting Margot to meet up at the music store under his dad's apartment, all sorts of chaos ensues. This fun look at long-term crushes, celebrities, and how life can go on after divorce and devastation. This was a fun story that I enjoyed every bit of. Thank you, NetGalley for the eARC. 4 stars. 

Perilous Times by Thomas D. Lee

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

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

2.0

This book had what I thought would be a great storyline; unfortunately, it fell very short for me. The King Arthur theme is one of my favorites to read in retellings so I had high hopes. In my opinion, this turned too much into an opinion piece on global warming and did not give justice to the Arthur legend. Yes, it had all the characters, but it just felt like a veiled attempt to pass along an agenda.  2 stars. Thank you, NetGalley for the eARC.

The Second Ending by Michelle Hoffman

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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? Yes

4.0

This was a fun story about love, life, and dealing with past hardship. Prudence was a child protege on the piano and was exploited by her grandmother. Once she was old enough, she fled the confines of her grandmother and chose a life of writing commercial jingles and just scraping by. Later in life, during a mid-life crisis, Prudence decides to go on a reality show for dueling pianos. Yes, it means she will have to perform for millions again, but with her circumstances, she needs to win the prize. Along the way, Prudence finds out what playing the piano truly means to her, not just being a performing monkey. I really enjoyed this story and love everything that has to do with pianos. Thank you for the eARC. 

Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood

adventurous emotional funny hopeful 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

5.0

In true Hazelwood fashion, she sucked me in and had me loving every minute of this book. I found this one to be a bit more serious in a way than her previous books in regard to the subject matter. It did not change how much I love her stories one bit.  Mallory has quit chess due to what it did to her family when she was younger. When she gets talked into playing in a charity tournament, she is slated to play the reigning world champion and beats him. This causes a stir leading to not only chess being played but a love story developing between the two rivals.  All the stars for this one 5 stars!!! Thank you, for the eARC!

Every Summer After by Carley Fortune

emotional hopeful sad 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? It's complicated

4.0

 Such an entertaining book. There was the perfect amount of drama, love, and anxiety mixed together. I will for sure pick up her next book. 

To Swoon and to Spar by Martha Waters

funny hopeful 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

4.0

This was a very cute enemies-to-lovers romance. Penvale has been desperately trying to regain ownership of his childhood home, so when the chance to obtain it comes with the price of marriage, he jumps. Jane is determined to do anything to stay in the house she has grown up with since her father's death left her a ward of Penvale's uncle. But she will stop at nothing to get rid of her new husband so she can live in peace. But what neither realized is that they could just fall in love. Thank you, NetGalley, for the eARC. It was a very fun, witty, swoon-worthy story. 4 stars. 

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

emotional funny inspiring 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? No

5.0

 I absolutely loved this book. Six-thirty was my favorite. Can't believe it took me this long to read it. 

The Ferryman by Justin Cronin

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.5

 This book was so bizarre. It reminded me of Blake Crouch's books in the way that you are left wondering what goes on in this guy's brain? I don't even know how to review this book without giving anything away. All I can say is you need to read it for yourself and go on one heck of a wild ride. 4.5 stars. Thank you, NetGalley for the eARC. 

Silver in the Bone by Alexandra Bracken

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-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? Yes

5.0

I loved this book and can't wait for the next one. 5 stars