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lifeofchrstnlvly's reviews
193 reviews
Five Survive by Holly Jackson
This book was intense, dark, and gripping. I finished it in one day.
Holly outdid herself. Another one of my autobuy authors. The problem now is I'll probably wait for years before I read a new book from her. 😭
Five Survive > A Good Girl's Guide to Murder
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
You could do that with memories too, sometimes. Lie to yourself, think fake thoughts to cover the ones you didn't want.
This book was intense, dark, and gripping. I finished it in one day.
Holly outdid herself. Another one of my autobuy authors. The problem now is I'll probably wait for years before I read a new book from her. 😭
Five Survive > A Good Girl's Guide to Murder
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose
Well, this was a mess. Wife representing the husband? Police officers crossing the line? How unethical.
I know it's fiction, but it's too out there (can't deny that I liked the drama, though).
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
Even when you have nothing left in your life, hope is the one thing that can never be taken away.
Well, this was a mess. Wife representing the husband? Police officers crossing the line? How unethical.
I know it's fiction, but it's too out there (can't deny that I liked the drama, though).
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I like unreliable narrators, but this book was not it. It was fast paced, but at the same time boring.
I don't know if it's because I know too many mystery and thriller stories that nothing surprises me anymore. I need to read a good psychological thriller. 😭
I don't know if it's because I know too many mystery and thriller stories that nothing surprises me anymore. I need to read a good psychological thriller. 😭
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Blood, and Murder
Tis the Season for Revenge by Morgan Elizabeth
This is my first holiday read of this month and I liked it. 🤍 It feels good to read something you know is predictable, especially after reading heavy books left amd right.
I liked that Damien was not the usual grumpy MMC in romance books (I wish he is real). I liked that Abbie was not annoying. I loved the friendship between Abbie, Cami, and Kat. I wish I had girlfriends that supportive (but I guess being a full-blown introvert who loves spending time at home and reading books got in the way). The only thing preventing me from rating this 5 stars were the spicy scenes. They weren't meant to be funny, but I found myself laughing (I think it was because there were too many dirty talks).
If you're looking for a book that's light and will make you smile, then this is it. It's free on KU, too.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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? No
4.0
The problem with guilt is that at any moment, you start to create scenarios in your mind of being caught, your number being up, and of when the lies become too much and overtake your life.
This is my first holiday read of this month and I liked it. 🤍 It feels good to read something you know is predictable, especially after reading heavy books left amd right.
I liked that Damien was not the usual grumpy MMC in romance books (I wish he is real). I liked that Abbie was not annoying. I loved the friendship between Abbie, Cami, and Kat. I wish I had girlfriends that supportive (but I guess being a full-blown introvert who loves spending time at home and reading books got in the way). The only thing preventing me from rating this 5 stars were the spicy scenes. They weren't meant to be funny, but I found myself laughing (I think it was because there were too many dirty talks).
If you're looking for a book that's light and will make you smile, then this is it. It's free on KU, too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Sexual content
If He Had Been with Me by Laura Nowlin
This is a story of "what ifs". This is a story about family, friendship, and tough times.
At the very first chapter, you already have an idea of how it will end. But that doesn't stop the fact that the end will still hurt. I had goosebumps while reading the last 20 pages.
It took a while for me to like this book. I only paid my full attention around the 24% mark. Since this is YA, it was easy to read (though I admit I didn't like the way of writing that much because it felt it was trying too hard). Chapters are also short.
This deals with depression, so read at your own risk. As someone who suffers with this disease, I can say it was written and portrayed perfectly.
dark
emotional
sad
medium-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
I love him in a way I cannot define, as if my love were an organ within my body that I could not live without yet could not pick out of an anatomy book.
This is a story of "what ifs". This is a story about family, friendship, and tough times.
At the very first chapter, you already have an idea of how it will end. But that doesn't stop the fact that the end will still hurt. I had goosebumps while reading the last 20 pages.
It took a while for me to like this book. I only paid my full attention around the 24% mark. Since this is YA, it was easy to read (though I admit I didn't like the way of writing that much because it felt it was trying too hard). Chapters are also short.
This deals with depression, so read at your own risk. As someone who suffers with this disease, I can say it was written and portrayed perfectly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Car accident
Moderate: Self harm and Suicide attempt
Minor: Pregnancy
Flawless by Elsie Silver
After reading an awful "enemies to lovers" book, it was a gem reading a good one. Rhett and Summer's banter was great. The angst was the right amount. I had low expectations because booktok hyped this book too much. It was not a 5-star read, but it was definitely worth my time. 3.5 stars, and I am 100% sure I'll continue reading this series.
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
If these were your last few moments on earth, would you go happy?
After reading an awful "enemies to lovers" book, it was a gem reading a good one. Rhett and Summer's banter was great. The angst was the right amount. I had low expectations because booktok hyped this book too much. It was not a 5-star read, but it was definitely worth my time. 3.5 stars, and I am 100% sure I'll continue reading this series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent
Normal People by Sally Rooney
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
At first I thought it will be a hard read because Rooney is notorious for not using quotation marks. If you're a reader, then you will not have problems. I got used to it quite easily.
I did not think this book will affect me the way it did. I saw myself in Marianne (with the way she interacted with people and how people perceived her, not the family dynamics part). I never felt more seen.
This book was, honestly, plotless. It was a glimpse of Marianne's and Connell's lives. I found myself hating Connell one minute, then quickly understanding him a couple of pages after. I did not find their relationship frustrating - I found it realistic. Don't read this book expecting to read a love story. It's not. It's so much more than that.
Normal people indeed.
P.S. You can also read At The Clinic, a short story by Rooney. Marianne and Connell are 23.
I did not think this book will affect me the way it did. I saw myself in Marianne (with the way she interacted with people and how people perceived her, not the family dynamics part). I never felt more seen.
This book was, honestly, plotless. It was a glimpse of Marianne's and Connell's lives. I found myself hating Connell one minute, then quickly understanding him a couple of pages after. I did not find their relationship frustrating - I found it realistic. Don't read this book expecting to read a love story. It's not. It's so much more than that.
Normal people indeed.
P.S. You can also read At The Clinic, a short story by Rooney. Marianne and Connell are 23.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Alcohol
Evidence of the Affair by Taylor Jenkins Reid
A short story by Taylor Jenkins Reid, this hit so close to home.
Aside from Fredrik Backman, TJR is one of my new favorite author. I'll read anything she writes. I'm convinced TJR's books are amazing because she sucks you into the world of her characters. She makes you believe they are real people, which says a lot about her writing style. First page of this story and I was engrossed.
Read this in an hour (it's only 88 pages and is free on KU). For some reason, I was teary eyed all throughout the time I was reading.
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Do you ever feel like your life got away from you somehow?
A short story by Taylor Jenkins Reid, this hit so close to home.
Aside from Fredrik Backman, TJR is one of my new favorite author. I'll read anything she writes. I'm convinced TJR's books are amazing because she sucks you into the world of her characters. She makes you believe they are real people, which says a lot about her writing style. First page of this story and I was engrossed.
Read this in an hour (it's only 88 pages and is free on KU). For some reason, I was teary eyed all throughout the time I was reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Infertility
Minor: Pregnancy
romance
Water Under The Bridge by Denise Stone, Kels Stone
lighthearted
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
1.0
I've been following one of the authors in Tiktok for quite some time and I saw the journey she went through in publishing this book. I wanted to like this book so much, but no. Unfortunately, this was not it.
The banter? Bad.
Chemistry? None.
Dialogue? Unrealistic.
Characters? Unlikeable.
Writing? Subpar.
Luca is your typical MMC: tall, (described as) handsome, loves to workout, eats protein bars... you know - surface level. He was written perfectly that it was too unbelievable. It's like he was written to satiate the appetite of women reading this book. Avery is the annoying, immature, I'm-not-like-other-girls FMC (Luca was right: she should handle rejection better).
The constant reminder of how they lust after each other didn't help. It felt like the authors needed to remind the readers how much Luca and Avery lust after each other to try and ignite sparks and to build up the spice. The dialogue was off, even the conversations Avery had with her friend, Lily. No one talks like the way the characters talk in this book. I know this is fiction, but the banter/conversations were too... perfect. Not perfect in a sense that it was good, but perfect in a sense that everything was too convenient so it will be swoon worthy.
I mostly skimmed. It was boring because it was cliché.
1 star because there are 2 cute scenes that made me smile.
The banter? Bad.
Chemistry? None.
Dialogue? Unrealistic.
Characters? Unlikeable.
Writing? Subpar.
Luca is your typical MMC: tall, (described as) handsome, loves to workout, eats protein bars... you know - surface level. He was written perfectly that it was too unbelievable. It's like he was written to satiate the appetite of women reading this book. Avery is the annoying, immature, I'm-not-like-other-girls FMC (Luca was right: she should handle rejection better).
The constant reminder of how they lust after each other didn't help. It felt like the authors needed to remind the readers how much Luca and Avery lust after each other to try and ignite sparks and to build up the spice. The dialogue was off, even the conversations Avery had with her friend, Lily. No one talks like the way the characters talk in this book. I know this is fiction, but the banter/conversations were too... perfect. Not perfect in a sense that it was good, but perfect in a sense that everything was too convenient so it will be swoon worthy.
I mostly skimmed. It was boring because it was cliché.
1 star because there are 2 cute scenes that made me smile.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Someone Who Will Love You in All Your Damaged Glory by Raphael Bob-Waksberg
Right off the bat: this book is not for everyone. Someone Who Will Love You in All Your Damaged Glory is about different kinds of love. How different? Well, there's a short story from the POV of a dog (yes, I cried).
It's eclectic. It's atrocious. It's chaotic. It's unique. It's funny. It's sad. But in the end, it made perfect sense.
If you love BoJack Horseman and all its craziness, consider reading the book written by its creator, Raphael Bob-Waksberg.
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What happened to our society to make it so we view damaged things as somehow incomplete? On the contrary, I, for one, believe it is our damage that makes us whole.
Right off the bat: this book is not for everyone. Someone Who Will Love You in All Your Damaged Glory is about different kinds of love. How different? Well, there's a short story from the POV of a dog (yes, I cried).
It's eclectic. It's atrocious. It's chaotic. It's unique. It's funny. It's sad. But in the end, it made perfect sense.
If you love BoJack Horseman and all its craziness, consider reading the book written by its creator, Raphael Bob-Waksberg.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Cancer, Death, and Infidelity