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lifeofchrstnlvly's reviews
172 reviews
Mile High by Liz Tomforde
Bonus: “Pop/s a shoulder” or “shoulders pop/popping” was mentioned 15 times. Why can't you come up with a more fitting adjective to describe something like that?
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Top three reasons why I didn't like this book:
- This could have been 150 pages shorter.
- Insecurity is different from self-criticism without reason. Stevie is a perfect example of the latter. It took me almost five months to finish this simple romance book due to Stevie's persistent "woe is me" attitude, which I found annoying. Note to Stevie: the world does not revolve around you.
- Bad writing. Liz Tomforde consistently stated the obvious. For example,
when Stevie's dad was explaining that her maternal grandmother was harsh to Stevie's mom, leading to Stevie's mom's similar behavior towards Stevie. He was discussing the difficulties for Stevie's mom and hinting at generational trauma. However, in the next paragraph, Stevie's dad explicitly labels it as generational trauma. Such repetition was not a one-time thing and it became frustrating. It seemed as if Tomforde underestimated the readers' ability to understand the narrative without explicit explanations. An author should trust their eloquence to convey the message to the audience. This led me to speculate that Tomforde lacked confidence in her explanatory skills, hence the need to state the obvious.
Bonus: “Pop/s a shoulder” or “shoulders pop/popping” was mentioned 15 times. Why can't you come up with a more fitting adjective to describe something like that?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Body shaming and Abandonment
Minor: Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood
Ward D by Freida McFadden
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Blood, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Addiction, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Physical abuse, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Drug use and Dementia
House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I like weird books and I cannot lie.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Vomit, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Moderate: Death, Alcohol, Torture, Grief, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Suicide, and Kidnapping
Minor: Bullying, Drug use, Self harm, Stalking, Animal death, and Child death
The Legacy by Elle Kennedy
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I understand that some people didn't enjoy this epilogue novel, but I did. It was enjoyable to read about the couples from the Off-Campus series, and I found myself laughing at several scenes. Those who know me understand that it's usually easier to make me cry than laugh while reading books.
I enjoyed Dean and Allie's storyline in The Legacy, even though The Score was my least favorite book in the Off-Campus series.
I greatly disliked Hannah in this book. I understand she was trying to protect Garrett, but her unwillingness to speak out, fearing it might negatively affect her due to Garrett's mood, revealed her selfishness.Garrett and Hannah both had a part in making their child. Garrett should have been told about the pregnancy right away. But when he got upset because Hannah hid it for a long time, she was surprisingly angry at him. It felt like reading about a completely different Hannah. The Hannah from The Deal and The Legacy seemed like two different people.
I enjoyed Dean and Allie's storyline in The Legacy, even though The Score was my least favorite book in the Off-Campus series.
I greatly disliked Hannah in this book. I understand she was trying to protect Garrett, but her unwillingness to speak out, fearing it might negatively affect her due to Garrett's mood, revealed her selfishness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Abortion, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Miscarriage
A welcome reunion by Lucinda Berry
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The Perfect Child by Lucinda Berry
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I therefore conclude that Janie, the sociopathic 6-year-old child, was not the red flag: Christopher was.
Christopher was the dumbest male character I have ever read about. He infuriated me immensely. He was not thinking. He was purely foolish. And he is an orthopedic surgeon?! Come on. Where did his brain go? I cannot count how many times I gritted my teeth due to his stupidity.
Hannah deserved a better husband, because let's face it: Christopher didn't deserve Hannah. It just so happened that the one involved was a child, but if Christopher was attached to another woman his age, I am 100% certain he would have an affair and gaslight Hannah once she confronted him.
As for Janie, she was a mere child dealing with immense trauma. She needed more guidance. Hannah did her best, but Christopher, in his ignorance, continually interfered. He believed he was acting in Janie's best interest, but in reality, his actions exacerbated her condition. Such a pitiful child.
And Hannah... dear Hannah. I'm deeply sorry for the hardships you endured due to your foolish husband. You sought what was best for Janie, exerted every effort to assist her, but your husband chose not to support you or be part of your team. I hope you lead a fulfilling life, and I hope you permanently part ways with your husband. He's not the right man for you. His ability to reason is completely lacking.
Christopher was the dumbest male character I have ever read about. He infuriated me immensely. He was not thinking. He was purely foolish. And he is an orthopedic surgeon?! Come on. Where did his brain go? I cannot count how many times I gritted my teeth due to his stupidity.
Hannah deserved a better husband, because let's face it: Christopher didn't deserve Hannah. It just so happened that the one involved was a child, but if Christopher was attached to another woman his age, I am 100% certain he would have an affair and gaslight Hannah once she confronted him.
As for Janie, she was a mere child dealing with immense trauma. She needed more guidance. Hannah did her best, but Christopher, in his ignorance, continually interfered. He believed he was acting in Janie's best interest, but in reality, his actions exacerbated her condition. Such a pitiful child.
And Hannah... dear Hannah. I'm deeply sorry for the hardships you endured due to your foolish husband. You sought what was best for Janie, exerted every effort to assist her, but your husband chose not to support you or be part of your team. I hope you lead a fulfilling life, and I hope you permanently part ways with your husband. He's not the right man for you. His ability to reason is completely lacking.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Death, Blood, Child abuse, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Infertility, Pregnancy, and Sexual assault
The Teacher by Freida McFadden
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Murder, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Death of parent
A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
How difficult is it to edit this book that it appeared as if the editors gave up? PSA for all the apologists for bad writing: claiming that the phrasing of the sentences is due to us reading Feyre's mind is simply a poor excuse for the poor writing. If you ever wonder why I still read this series even though I keep complaining about the writing, I can admit that I was foolish enough to buy all the books in the series before I read the first book because I succumbed to the hype. In my defense, I purchased the series when I regained my love for reading, also known as when I emerged from my 3-year reading slump, and I was too excited to buy anything that caught my interest. I am too frugal with money that I continue reading the series even if I dislike the writing, simply because I already bought all the books. Anyway.
I don't hate fantasy books being long. I actually like it when fantasy books are long because I know that it takes a lot to describe the world and give the backstories of the events and characters. BUT ACOWAR is too long, in my opinion. It could have been 200 pages shorter if Maas didn't repeat scenes over and over again.
I won't deny that I liked ACOWAR more than ACOTAR and ACOMAF.
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Page 2 and the fragmented sentences are back. 😂
As expected, the poor writing and editing bothered me, especially the fragmented sentences.
Sample:
As expected, the poor writing and editing bothered me, especially the fragmented sentences.
Sample:
I had not dared to ask for more details about Cassian and Azriel — or my sisters. In terror of knowing how bad it had been — and what I'd do if their healing turned grim. What I'd bring down upon these people.
Healing. Alive and healing. I reminded myself of that every day.
Even when I still heard their screams, smelled their blood.
But I did not ask for more. Did not risk touching the bond beyond that first time.
How difficult is it to edit this book that it appeared as if the editors gave up? PSA for all the apologists for bad writing: claiming that the phrasing of the sentences is due to us reading Feyre's mind is simply a poor excuse for the poor writing. If you ever wonder why I still read this series even though I keep complaining about the writing, I can admit that I was foolish enough to buy all the books in the series before I read the first book because I succumbed to the hype. In my defense, I purchased the series when I regained my love for reading, also known as when I emerged from my 3-year reading slump, and I was too excited to buy anything that caught my interest. I am too frugal with money that I continue reading the series even if I dislike the writing, simply because I already bought all the books. Anyway.
I don't hate fantasy books being long. I actually like it when fantasy books are long because I know that it takes a lot to describe the world and give the backstories of the events and characters. BUT ACOWAR is too long, in my opinion. It could have been 200 pages shorter if Maas didn't repeat scenes over and over again.
I won't deny that I liked ACOWAR more than ACOTAR and ACOMAF.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Sexual content, Blood, Death, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Death of parent, and Vomit
Minor: Confinement, Rape, and Grief
Eleven Eleven by Micalea Smeltzer
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
To Via: I understand. You're insecure. However, you're already in your 30s and you can't distinguish between things worth losing sleep over and those that are not. Your constant sharing and display of insecurities has become tiring. Also, you persistently compare Chase and Reid. Granted, you always mention Chase's faults (and you always counter it with “…but Reid is better”), but if I were Reid, I wouldn't be that patient with you.
To Reid: Yes, you're perfect. Since you're perfect, you need to hear this truth: you deserve someone better.
To Micalea Smeltzer: Your writing is easy to understand, but it's quite drawn out. Numerous chapters could be removed, reducing the book to half its length if you avoided reiterating points already made. Your readers can grasp how low Via's self-esteem is without its constant mention in nearly every other chapter. An effective author does not need to belabor their point.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
The Things We Leave Unfinished by Rebecca Yarros
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I'm glad I finished this book because I can finally say I read it, though it was just okay. The number of characters introduced in the first chapter was overwhelming. This is my third book by Rebecca Yarros, and it seems like she often includes a lot of information at once.
The unexpected twist at the end was surprising and emotional, but I moved on quickly, which personally meant it didn't fully satisfy me.
I enjoyed Scarlett and Jameson's love story, but Noah and Georgia's relationship felt forced.
To be honest, I might revise this review later, as I'm starting to feel more disappointed than okay.
The unexpected twist at the end was surprising and emotional, but I moved on quickly, which personally meant it didn't fully satisfy me.
I enjoyed Scarlett and Jameson's love story, but Noah and Georgia's relationship felt forced.
To be honest, I might revise this review later, as I'm starting to feel more disappointed than okay.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and War
Moderate: Sexual content and Violence