lifeaccordingtosteph's reviews
1572 reviews

A Forty Year Kiss by Nickolas Butler

slow-paced

• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

 I loved that the main characters were older in age and youthful in  heart, and I do love a second chance redemption arc and gentle storytelling. I think if I didn't compare all of his novels to Shotgun Lovesongs, one of my favorite books of all time, that I would have liked this one more, and the fault in that is mine. I know better than to think the feeling evoked by one reading experience can translate to every other one by that author.  It's earnest, but not in a way that felt authentic to me. It also contains everything plus the kitchen sink, which is I think one of the ways it went off the rails. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

The Bookseller by Valerie Keogh

2.0

 Love a story set in a bookstore, love a main character who loves books as much as I do. That's about the end of my love for this one - I think I'm an outlier but this was not for me. I could not deal with Helen. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes March 3 

Saltwater by Katy Hays

3.25

Entirely unbelievable but that was part of what spurred the story forward. Passed the time just fine.

Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Nowhere by Allison Gunn

3.0

This was a little out of my preferred zone - I thought it was more mystery/thriller but maybe a little more horrorish than I bargained for. Likely a good for you, not for me read 

Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

Homeseeking by Karissa Chen

medium-paced

4.75

 I always think of myself as a reader not that interested in historical fiction until I read books that remind me that I *do* like historical fiction. Partially set in a time in history I haven't read many perspectives of is always a bonus, and that was the case here - the impact of country, politics, and position on the lives of these people through many decades and changes, from Shanghai to Hong Kong, Taiwan, New York, California. This was engaging, heartbreaking, hopeful. 

The Hunt by Gregg Dunnett

slow-paced

3.25

This book passed the time just fine, but was my least favorite of the three so far. Still invested and looking forward to the next one!

Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Sweet Fury by Sash Bischoff

3.0

Reads like Fitzgerald fan fiction, which I didn’t mind. Feels a little overwritten in spots but passed the time just fine

Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

5.0

I loved this.

This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper

4.0

I love Jonathan Tropper's writing. It engages me.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

5.0

I can't recommend this book enough, although I sobbed through the last part of it.