latashman's reviews
217 reviews

The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center

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emotional funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Everyone needs a Charlie in their life, a partner who loves you unconditionally and supports you by putting you in the spotlight. I loved that when he cared for Emma he took a step back and let her have her moment. The scenes with her dad were heartwarming. Overall a wonderful story about making your own story and not holding yourself back from making the choices in life that you have a passion for. 
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The Girl from the Other Side: Siúil, a Rún Vol. 2 by Nagabe

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dark fast-paced
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr

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adventurous inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

Loved the five stories in Cloud Cuckoo Land and their connection to each other. It was a sad yet heartwarming tale with a little bit of environmentalism mixed in. I felt connected to each character and wanted to see them happy and fulfilled. 
There were several quotes that I liked, but " The world as it is is enough." Was my favorite and was delivered at the perfect moment in the story. 
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Never Lie by Freida McFadden

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dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This book was entertaining, but I would not say well written. I liked the twists at the end, but wasn't entirely surprised by the outcome. The characters were not loveable, but I think that is the point of their stories. 
The Women by Kristin Hannah

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adventurous dark emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I feel like this story could have been so much more. It is like the story of female Vietnam veterans was made into something that anyone could like, which is great, but I wish that there was more bite to it. I wish the author wouldn't have pulled the punches throughout the story. The focus on her love life felt cheap when she had gone through so much and frustrating. I wish there were more diverse POVs throughout the book or more dialogue about the Black veterans and nurses in the war. 

Also, I hate Frankie. 
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Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center

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emotional fast-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This was a very cute and emotional book about forgiveness. I enjoyed the story, but found some of the descriptions and scenes a little ridiculous. Not necessarily the physical feats of the woman, but how nicely everything wraps up and how everything just lines up perfectly. It was a good book to break up some heavier novels and series that I'm reading. 
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The Girl from the Other Side: Siúil, a Rún Vol. 1 by Nagabe

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lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

This was a nice short read to break ups some heavier books. The art style does a good job of conveying emotions even though it is black and white only. i really like the questions that are raised about who the "evil" is in the book and why Shiva was not changed when touched. Looking forward to the next installment. 
Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett

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adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

I have found this series to be a heartwarming cozy fantasy. It does have a few scenes that are more gruesome, but the majority of the book tells a story for found family between scholars who are studying faerie kind. I love Emily and Wendell's relationship and how much trust he has in her throughout the book. 
Paladin's Strength by T. Kingfisher

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adventurous lighthearted tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I have recently discovered T Kingfishers fantasy books and love them. They feel like stepping into a fairytale. This book had some pretty gruesome scenes with the smooth men, but was overall lighthearted with humor intertwined with the dark. I found that the pacing was well done. I appreciate that her stories do not include an epilogue (esp one with pregnancy trope, etc) 
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Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver

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dark fast-paced
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I listened to the audiobook. I can't imagine reading this book any other way, they had a great duo doing the voices. My main issues were that there didn't seem to be things moving the plot forward something would just suddenly happen and we'd be in the next year or months, etc. there was also gore that I think was there just to have gore. It is a romcom about serial killers, nothing too scary, but definitely some scenes with blood/body horror elements. 
The book was unhinged and I don't think I liked it, but it was like a train wreck I couldn't look away from. I think an editor going back through to add more character building would be great and less dialogue. As it is now there seemed to be a ton of dialogue, that might have just been because I did audiobook..
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