leannj's reviews
2176 reviews

Office Hours by Katrina Jackson

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-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

4.5

Super cute slice of life romance that touches on burnout in academia really well

The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill

dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense medium-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? Yes

3.75

I wanted to read this book after having so much fun reading the author's previous book The Woman in the Library, but I think having those expectations hindered my enjoyment slightly as this book has a very different tone. The decisions the main character made could get frustrating, but I think the author did a decent job at incorporating her backstory to explain her characterization. I think the book was at its strongest when the main sibling relationship was at the focus.

Fake Dates and Mooncakes by Sher Lee

lighthearted fast-paced

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

2.75

I flew through this, but at a certain point it was because of me wanting the book to be over because of how cheesy things got. The author's next book does sound intriguing so I will at least be trying it out.

Tread of Angels by Rebecca Roanhorse

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

3.0

This wasn't bad by any means, but it was my least favorite story that I've read from this author so far. This novella explores some interesting themes, but I never felt invested in the characters to feel impacted by what they were going through.

Teach the Torches to Burn: A Romeo & Juliet Remix by Caleb Roehrig

emotional hopeful reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.25

So far, the YA Remixed Classics series have been hit-or-miss for me; some of the books I've really enjoyed while others were just okay. Luckily, Teach the Torches to Burn was a hit- I thought it did a really good job of subverting expectations while still keeping true to the themes of the original play. The writing also felt authentic to the play without coming off as too try-hard.

Read Herring Hunt by V.M. Burns

lighthearted 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

4.0

So far, this has been the only cozy mystery series that I've truly enjoyed out of the one I tried out, and thankfully this installment was just as likable as the first.

Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

4.25

I thought Legends and Lattes was fun but not super memorable, so I went into the prequel with mostly neutral expectations. To my surprise I ended up liking this one even more; I thought the writing and plot were both much stronger this time around, and the bittersweet ending made it even a bit emotional.

Heroes of the Water Monster by Brian Young

adventurous dark emotional hopeful reflective sad 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? Yes

4.25

A very strong sequel with a bittersweet and emotional ending 

Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.

Rook by William Ritter
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.