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lauren_miller's reviews
754 reviews
Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus: Revelations by Lydia Sherrer
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
the first installment was such a ridiculous, lighthearted read that this second installment kinda has me shocked; it took a few violent turns I was not expecting, as well as added a historical surprise (hello Morgan, fancy seeing you here) that definitely has me intrigued... i feel like I have to continue now, solely to find out what the hell kind of power Lily is actually capable of.
Love Requires Chocolate by Ravynn K. Stringfield
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Note: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is a super sweet contemporary YA romance that features a lot of my favorite things: France, sugar, falling in love, and theater. Was it a perfect combination? Not necessarily, but it was still pretty enjoyable.
Whitney is your stereotypical theater kid—confident, loud, and painfully unaware despite supposedly being self aware. She irritated me a bit in the beginning b/c she was so stereotypical, but that also probably means I would have really identified with her as a teenager, so I guess I have to give it a pass... And Thierry was just the right amount of grumpy for me, and such a romantic at heart!! That scene in Chocolat Doré was SO. CUTE. omg. Their chemistry felt very natural and warm to me. But that third act conflict?? Sorry, Whitney, but it was so. dramatic. for. no. reason.
And on a pedantic note, I really did not understand the author's baseline for Whitney's French. She uses some nearly intermediate phrases in the beginning, but then Thierry has to teach her the passé composé for avoir and être?? And while I loved the sense of improvement regarding her French, there is no way a high schooler with those basics would feel comfortable at a market alone, as she put it.... Admittedly, my French degree was out in full force and feeling VERY judgy during this read; she simply can't be tamed!!!
I think this is book is a lot of very light, easy fun, perfect for actual tweens and teenagers who may not have been to France and are itching to go; for everyone else (i.e., everyone older than 18), I'd probably recommend skipping.
3 out of 5 stars, ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a super sweet contemporary YA romance that features a lot of my favorite things: France, sugar, falling in love, and theater. Was it a perfect combination? Not necessarily, but it was still pretty enjoyable.
Whitney is your stereotypical theater kid—confident, loud, and painfully unaware despite supposedly being self aware. She irritated me a bit in the beginning b/c she was so stereotypical, but that also probably means I would have really identified with her as a teenager, so I guess I have to give it a pass... And Thierry was just the right amount of grumpy for me, and such a romantic at heart!! That scene in Chocolat Doré was SO. CUTE. omg. Their chemistry felt very natural and warm to me. But that third act conflict?? Sorry, Whitney, but it was so. dramatic. for. no. reason.
And on a pedantic note, I really did not understand the author's baseline for Whitney's French. She uses some nearly intermediate phrases in the beginning, but then Thierry has to teach her the passé composé for avoir and être?? And while I loved the sense of improvement regarding her French, there is no way a high schooler with those basics would feel comfortable at a market alone, as she put it.... Admittedly, my French degree was out in full force and feeling VERY judgy during this read; she simply can't be tamed!!!
I think this is book is a lot of very light, easy fun, perfect for actual tweens and teenagers who may not have been to France and are itching to go; for everyone else (i.e., everyone older than 18), I'd probably recommend skipping.
3 out of 5 stars, ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus: Beginnings by Lydia Sherrer
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
a ridiculous, fun ride
A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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
4.5
such a magical, evocative, emotional, and windswept little story...
4.5 out of 5 stars, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4.5 out of 5 stars, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
3.75
I can't quite recall how this funny little book was brought to my attention, only that it was meant to have the same societal charm as Jane Austen. To that effect, it certainly delivers! It is lighthearted, silly, proper, and overall such a wonderful window into that period in time; to be a spinster was not such a tragedy should one have good friends and a reliable income. Would I recommend this to anyone? I'm not sure. If you're an Austen fanatic or generally classical reader, this is an easy one to tick off the list. Otherwise, you may find it a bit pointless.
Mysteries of Thorn Manor by Margaret Rogerson
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
this novella was utterly charming.
the stakes were low, the reward was high (hello mistress of the manor!), and some of the scenes struck me so intensely I know I will be thinking about them for a while to come (the sketches 😭)... I particularly loved the ostrich room (I need to know more!!), the revelation of the gardens, and the warmth of the house at the end. seriously, we need more sentient houses in fantasy. i need more.
a lighthearted, silly, and very cozy 4.75 stars, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
the stakes were low, the reward was high (hello mistress of the manor!), and some of the scenes struck me so intensely I know I will be thinking about them for a while to come (the sketches 😭)... I particularly loved the ostrich room (I need to know more!!), the revelation of the gardens, and the warmth of the house at the end. seriously, we need more sentient houses in fantasy. i need more.
a lighthearted, silly, and very cozy 4.75 stars, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-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
4.5
this ended up being very different from what I was expecting, but I loved many parts of it.
Silas’s inhumanity, in particular, really held me captive, and the scene where the Thorn Manor allows Elisabeth to enter? I was nearly in tears. the armies rallying at the end, both statue and book, were striking and vivid images in my head, too. something definitely has to be said for Margaret Rogerson’s incredible imagination.
while the overall pacing was a bit off in my opinion and I found the ending (to the conflict, not the actual book) unsatisfying and too fade-to-black, the actual ending was perfect and the relationship between Elisabeth and Nathaniel is one of my favorites as of late, almost on par with Amma and Damien à la Throne in the Dark!
i can’t wait to pick up the thorn manor novella and then An Enchantment of Ravens. criticisms aside, I am definitely a Margaret Rogerson fan girl now.
4.5 out of 5 stars, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Silas’s inhumanity, in particular, really held me captive, and the scene where the Thorn Manor allows Elisabeth to enter? I was nearly in tears. the armies rallying at the end, both statue and book, were striking and vivid images in my head, too. something definitely has to be said for Margaret Rogerson’s incredible imagination.
while the overall pacing was a bit off in my opinion and I found the ending (to the conflict, not the actual book) unsatisfying and too fade-to-black, the actual ending was perfect and the relationship between Elisabeth and Nathaniel is one of my favorites as of late, almost on par with Amma and Damien à la Throne in the Dark!
i can’t wait to pick up the thorn manor novella and then An Enchantment of Ravens. criticisms aside, I am definitely a Margaret Rogerson fan girl now.
4.5 out of 5 stars, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Honey Witch by Sydney J. Shields
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
tense
medium-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
4.25
Note: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I have to say, this may be one of my favorite reads of the year. The first two thirds? 5 stars, absolutely lovely and delicate and magical—the awkwardness of lacking a purpose and not fitting in with society's expectations, the revelation that you are meant for something more, the coming of age (and into your powers) montage, the studying of magic and all that it can do for people and the world... This chunk really read like Anne of Green Gables with magic and it was incredible. I vibed so much with the author's writing and the slow care with which the plot developed. It felt so thoughtful and cheerful and fulfilling...
However, the last third was like a complete 180 in terms of maturity and intensity. Whereas the first half was meandering and playful and almost juvenile at times, this last bit felt wayyyy more mature and intense, like the stakes were 1000% higher and I. was. anxious. So yeah, the pacing was a bit off for me, and to be honest, did I figure out Lottie's whole situation the second we met her? Yes. Did I care? Not really, it just annoyed me how long it took Marigold to figure it out. That aside, I had a really great reading experience.
So, 4.25 out of 5 stars, definitely recommend if you like cozy historical fantasy!
I have to say, this may be one of my favorite reads of the year. The first two thirds? 5 stars, absolutely lovely and delicate and magical—the awkwardness of lacking a purpose and not fitting in with society's expectations, the revelation that you are meant for something more, the coming of age (and into your powers) montage, the studying of magic and all that it can do for people and the world... This chunk really read like Anne of Green Gables with magic and it was incredible. I vibed so much with the author's writing and the slow care with which the plot developed. It felt so thoughtful and cheerful and fulfilling...
However, the last third was like a complete 180 in terms of maturity and intensity. Whereas the first half was meandering and playful and almost juvenile at times, this last bit felt wayyyy more mature and intense, like the stakes were 1000% higher and I. was. anxious. So yeah, the pacing was a bit off for me, and to be honest, did I figure out Lottie's whole situation the second we met her? Yes. Did I care? Not really, it just annoyed me how long it took Marigold to figure it out. That aside, I had a really great reading experience.
So, 4.25 out of 5 stars, definitely recommend if you like cozy historical fantasy!
Phoenix Unbound by Grace Draven
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-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
this was sold to me as romantasy, but my god, it's so much more.
this is a genuine high fantasy that boasts a great love story. at it's heart, this book is about the cruelty of humanity and the struggles to meet its challenges and ultimately rise above in the name of making the world better, kinder. it was a very long road, but it was beautifully written and incredibly powerful (that final scene in the area O.M.G.). I was ready to simply enjoy this as a standalone instead of continuing—because tbh, this one drained me quite a lot (emotionally)—but now I can't bear to let this world go.
I truly cannot recommend this enough.
a well deserved 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
this is a genuine high fantasy that boasts a great love story. at it's heart, this book is about the cruelty of humanity and the struggles to meet its challenges and ultimately rise above in the name of making the world better, kinder. it was a very long road, but it was beautifully written and incredibly powerful (that final scene in the area O.M.G.). I was ready to simply enjoy this as a standalone instead of continuing—because tbh, this one drained me quite a lot (emotionally)—but now I can't bear to let this world go.
I truly cannot recommend this enough.
a well deserved 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual violence, Murder, and War
The Truth About Dragons by Julie Leung
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
I was NOT expecting to tear up... This is such a beautiful little metaphor about growing up biracial and the fact that you can embrace both identities together instead of choosing just one💚 And the illustrations are GORGEOUS! I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy.