leslie1187's reviews
748 reviews

Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

This was an enjoyable read that was uplifting and heartfelt. I enjoyed reading about Wallace and the other characters’s lives in this in between before crossing into the after life. The prose was lyrical and exquisite. 

No Judgments by Meg Cabot

hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

This was a fun Contemporary romance that was a quick read. I love reading books set in Florida, my home state. The Little Bridge Island books are set in an island of the FL Keys. You see some familiar faces pop up in school book but they really are just companions. They can be read a stand alone books. 

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer

adventurous emotional hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

I absolutely loved this book. It was pure magic and full of everlasting hope. A bit like Willy Wonka, except with a small group of adults who had run away to Clock Island as adolescents; they get a chance of a lifetime to return back to Clock Island as adults for the chance to compete to win a new book the author just wrote.

Each character has a wish they want granted when they return to the island. Even Lucy, who wants desperately to be able to adopt a little boy in foster care that she has grown to love through helping and tutoring him at the school where she works. There’s even a bit of romance sprinkled in that just warms the heart even more. If you want to read a hopeful story feeled with magical experiences then pick this up.

Camp Zero by Michelle Min Sterling

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

Lowered the rating for the open ended way it left things. Though I’ll admit that it was still left in a way that the reader could visualizes how the rest of the story played out. I just was already upset that one of the characters Nari was supposed to escape with was killed by another character Nari ended up having to run from (stealing his SUV to get away). I liked the unique way the two story lines melded into one at the end. Very mysterious and intriguing up until the very end. I don’t want to say too much to risk giving away too much information. Definitely worth reading if you like adult dystopian worlds that are different and intriguing with a very real possibility of what the earth will be like if it continues to get warmer.

The Questionable Behavior of Dahlia Moss by Max Wirestone

funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

3.0

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

challenging dark tense fast-paced

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

4.5

What would happen if one author died in a freak accident, and another author stole a rough first draft the day of her death? This story calls to question what one author will do for the shot at fame, even if it means revising/rewriting another’s very rough first draft. The drama, intrigue, and character denial will be enough to keep you turning the pages as you jaw drops with each astounding action and revelation at each turn.

Fly Away by Kristin Hannah

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This follow up to Firefly Lane was emotional and hard to read while at the same time I couldn’t put it down. I was invested in learning where these characters ended up.
We are watching as these characters grapple with the heartbreaking loss of Kate at the end of the previous book. We follow them through a number of years and character transformations before one tragic accident causes their paths to collide once more. Through this the characters come together to help care for Tully as she recovers, waiting for her to wake from a coma. My emotions were wrung through a blender but I absolutely loved reading more about these characters as they faced their battles. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Self harm, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent

No Offense by Meg Cabot

lighthearted mysterious relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

This was a fun lighthearted read. Reminded me how much I enjoy reading Meg Cabot’s romcoms because they don’t require any thinking. Everything is laid out and given to the reader with great characterization and interactions that keep me entertained. 

The Lost Puzzler by Eyal Kless

adventurous slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

I enjoyed the rich atmosphere of this dystopian world. Great character back story and the plot made me intrigued to continue reading. I don’t really want to say anything else because I don’t want to spoil anything directly related to the plot. I’ll also glad there is a sequel to conclude this enthralling story.

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I enjoyed the historical relevance of the historical era this occurred in. Kristin Hannah did a phenomenal job writing these characters and what they went through during the Great Depression / Dust Bowl. Even what migrants went through when they uprooted their lives to go to California for a better chance at living. Kristin Hannah makes your care for the characters she wants, truly wanting to know what is going to happen; if these characters are going to make it through hardship. I was not happy with that character death at the end. That was a tragic ending for our characters and just made the times seem that much more bleak.