Scan barcode
leclerc's reviews
147 reviews
Heartstopper Volume 4 by Alice Oseman
4.0
I will never not love this series. Heartstopper has been close to my heart for almost a year now.
Although these books are wholesome, they never shy away from difficult subjects. Volume 4 is definitely the heaviest yet, and does an amazing job of exploring some really difficult topics such as mental health, coming out, eating disorders and being in a psychiatric hospital. I just love the way Heartstopper handles these topics.
Nick and Charlie show that relationships aren't always all sunny and that a relationship does come with hardships. They even support each other from afar.
I'm genuinely so sad that my favourite series is coming to an end next year, I will miss all of them so much.
Although these books are wholesome, they never shy away from difficult subjects. Volume 4 is definitely the heaviest yet, and does an amazing job of exploring some really difficult topics such as mental health, coming out, eating disorders and being in a psychiatric hospital. I just love the way Heartstopper handles these topics.
Nick and Charlie show that relationships aren't always all sunny and that a relationship does come with hardships. They even support each other from afar.
I'm genuinely so sad that my favourite series is coming to an end next year, I will miss all of them so much.
Hold Still by Nina LaCour
4.0
"You might be looking for reasons, but they are no reasons".
We are always looking for answers to questions that might not have any actual answers and this sheds some light on that theory. When we lose someone close to us, we always have more questions than there are answers. What we always end up with is why? And the book portrayed it so well. Hold still broke my heart in many ways that I can't even explain, but it also felt like a warm hug, and made me feel at peace somehow.
Caitlin was such a strong character even though she showed all her weaknesses. She showed us that things aren't always easy but if you open up to the right people then things will get better. But you will always miss your person.
Nina gave a wonderful interpretation of Ingrid's personality, she wasn't there, but you got to know her which I loved, and her story had a big impact on me that I won't forget that fast.
Hold Still is worth a read for anyone. The themes that are discussed enlightened me to many things regarding loss of friends, how families deal with it and just how difficult life can get as a teenager. It's a wonderfully written story, and I'm very glad I took the time to read it.
We are always looking for answers to questions that might not have any actual answers and this sheds some light on that theory. When we lose someone close to us, we always have more questions than there are answers. What we always end up with is why? And the book portrayed it so well. Hold still broke my heart in many ways that I can't even explain, but it also felt like a warm hug, and made me feel at peace somehow.
Caitlin was such a strong character even though she showed all her weaknesses. She showed us that things aren't always easy but if you open up to the right people then things will get better. But you will always miss your person.
Nina gave a wonderful interpretation of Ingrid's personality, she wasn't there, but you got to know her which I loved, and her story had a big impact on me that I won't forget that fast.
Hold Still is worth a read for anyone. The themes that are discussed enlightened me to many things regarding loss of friends, how families deal with it and just how difficult life can get as a teenager. It's a wonderfully written story, and I'm very glad I took the time to read it.
It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
2.0
I didn't pick this book up solely on the reason to hate on it. I was excepting to like it like everyone else that I know did, but it was a no for me. I respect the personal nature of the story besides that the author's note doesn't exempt this work from criticism, so I will put my thoughts about the book down below.
The book felt more like a love triangle than a story about abuse. I empathize with Lily a lot, and the childhood stories of hers were very relatable since I grew up like that as well. But I don't think that the book captured the heaviness of the topic or the trauma well, and the book is also marketed as romance which I find is very …
Ryle was a red flag from the beginning. I saw some people that said "Oh, I liked Ryle at the beginning". He kicked a chair because he was angry, He had a photo of Lily in his room, and didn't even know her that well. That's not romantic that is weird. I could sense that he was a problem at his first experience. From that moment on he got even worse.
Atlas, I think a lot of people will hate me for it, but I don't like him. I know that he is a token book boyfriend on TikTok along with other famous book men, but I will never get why. One thing that I found very concerning and weird about him was SPOILER — that he waited for Lily to turn 16 and the second she was 16, he had sex with her. Which is so messed up, and I think a lot of people love to forget that. Also, the praise he gets for acting like a decent human being … unbelievable.
The ending felt too rushed, I wish that we would have seen more of her healing process rather than the romance. It was just all too fast and didn't make the story feel complete. I will read the Part 2 next month and hope that it will be better.
This is no hate towards Colleen! I love her. And I did enjoy quite a few of her books. This one wasn't for me.
The book felt more like a love triangle than a story about abuse. I empathize with Lily a lot, and the childhood stories of hers were very relatable since I grew up like that as well. But I don't think that the book captured the heaviness of the topic or the trauma well, and the book is also marketed as romance which I find is very …
Ryle was a red flag from the beginning. I saw some people that said "Oh, I liked Ryle at the beginning". He kicked a chair because he was angry, He had a photo of Lily in his room, and didn't even know her that well. That's not romantic that is weird. I could sense that he was a problem at his first experience. From that moment on he got even worse.
Atlas, I think a lot of people will hate me for it, but I don't like him. I know that he is a token book boyfriend on TikTok along with other famous book men, but I will never get why. One thing that I found very concerning and weird about him was SPOILER — that he waited for Lily to turn 16 and the second she was 16, he had sex with her. Which is so messed up, and I think a lot of people love to forget that. Also, the praise he gets for acting like a decent human being … unbelievable.
The ending felt too rushed, I wish that we would have seen more of her healing process rather than the romance. It was just all too fast and didn't make the story feel complete. I will read the Part 2 next month and hope that it will be better.
This is no hate towards Colleen! I love her. And I did enjoy quite a few of her books. This one wasn't for me.
The Possession of Mr Cave by Matt Haig
4.0
This is definitely one of the few books that I have read so far that left me distributed.
As a child who lost a sibling and whose parents were very overprotective, I was able to sympathize a lot with Bryony — thankfully my parents weren't as bad as Mr. Cave is.
I can't say the same for Mr. Cave but, the book is a real insight into how grief is not always isolation and sadness. And, I think he was the perfect example for that.
Either way I was left fighting with my own emotions with this one. I think what distributed me the most in this book was the writing. The author always used 'you', and it was like Mr. Cave was talking to me and not to his daughter which made the whole experience even more scary and uncomfortable.
For me 'The Midnight Library' was a whole letdown, so I'm glad to like this one more.
As a child who lost a sibling and whose parents were very overprotective, I was able to sympathize a lot with Bryony — thankfully my parents weren't as bad as Mr. Cave is.
I can't say the same for Mr. Cave but, the book is a real insight into how grief is not always isolation and sadness. And, I think he was the perfect example for that.
Either way I was left fighting with my own emotions with this one. I think what distributed me the most in this book was the writing. The author always used 'you', and it was like Mr. Cave was talking to me and not to his daughter which made the whole experience even more scary and uncomfortable.
For me 'The Midnight Library' was a whole letdown, so I'm glad to like this one more.
One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
3.0
Honestly, I have no idea how to write this review since I didn't hate but also didn't like this book … I feel like I'm one of the few people in the world that didn't enjoy this book.
The characters had no personality. Even Nate's lizard Stan had more personality than all four of them combined.
When he waved to Bronwyn? Yeah, he is the moment.
Also, why was the coming out a bigger reveal than the murder. Why did the author write it like that? And who the killer is was pretty obvious during the second half of the book and I found it kinda underwhelming.
But, it was a quick read and I will start the second book now. I have read worse.
The characters had no personality. Even Nate's lizard Stan had more personality than all four of them combined.
When he waved to Bronwyn? Yeah, he is the moment.
Also, why was the coming out a bigger reveal than the murder. Why did the author write it like that? And who the killer is was pretty obvious during the second half of the book and I found it kinda underwhelming.
But, it was a quick read and I will start the second book now. I have read worse.
One of Us Is Next by Karen M. McManus
2.0
I don't know why I keep continue to read her books, but they are honestly such an easy read even though they are boring and when I start something I feel the need to continue even if I have to force myself
Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus
3.0
I have to admit that this one wasn't that bad … her books are growing on me!
Sadly, I had no attachment to any of these characters beside Malcolm and, I have to admit that I didn't like the twins and found Emery rather annoying than likeable … oops
The reveal did shock me a bit but after the realization it left a salty taste in my mouth and I can't pinpoint why I didn't enjoy the reveal as much. But, the author did a good job with leaving us in the dark because till that point in the book I didn't consider them to be one of the murders.
Also, why do we always need romance in thriller books. I couldn't care less about Emery's and Malcolm's relationship like it felt so forced to me. Not every book needs romance … let me read a thriller in peace PLEASE.
Overall, reading her books feels like watching a plane crash and you can't look away.
Sadly, I had no attachment to any of these characters beside Malcolm and, I have to admit that I didn't like the twins and found Emery rather annoying than likeable … oops
The reveal did shock me a bit but after the realization it left a salty taste in my mouth and I can't pinpoint why I didn't enjoy the reveal as much. But, the author did a good job with leaving us in the dark because till that point in the book I didn't consider them to be one of the murders.
Also, why do we always need romance in thriller books. I couldn't care less about Emery's and Malcolm's relationship like it felt so forced to me. Not every book needs romance … let me read a thriller in peace PLEASE.
Overall, reading her books feels like watching a plane crash and you can't look away.
The Cousins by Karen M. McManus
2.0
This sounded so interesting. When I first read the summary I was like: Wow! I can't wait to follow the mystery and see what the secret is. I really got myself with that one …
Maybe it's my own fault for always believing that maybe the next book of hers will be better because I'm a positive person but, this one was honestly bad. I'm being generous with two stars.
Once again the romance was so forced I can't even do this. What was the reason for Jonah not to be Jonah ? The storyline was uninteresting and didn't even fit into the story. I would have preferred if they were all cousins. But, of course for the sake of the romance you have to come up with a lame ass couple that has — surprise! NO CHEMISTRY.
Also, the truth was so whack. I can't even believe this.
That was the most boring ending that I have ever read. This could have been such an amazing book but once again it was mediocre.
Maybe it's my own fault for always believing that maybe the next book of hers will be better because I'm a positive person but, this one was honestly bad. I'm being generous with two stars.
Once again the romance was so forced I can't even do this. What was the reason for Jonah not to be Jonah ? The storyline was uninteresting and didn't even fit into the story. I would have preferred if they were all cousins. But, of course for the sake of the romance you have to come up with a lame ass couple that has — surprise! NO CHEMISTRY.
Also, the truth was so whack. I can't even believe this.
That was the most boring ending that I have ever read. This could have been such an amazing book but once again it was mediocre.