lilyofthevalley_reads's reviews
310 reviews

The Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness by Morgan Housel

challenging hopeful informative reflective fast-paced

5.0

The Sum of All Kisses by Julia Quinn

emotional funny lighthearted medium-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? Yes

3.5

Miracle and Wonder: Conversations with Paul Simon by Bruce Headlam, Malcolm Gladwell

emotional informative relaxing fast-paced

4.0

The Duke Heist by Erica Ridley

adventurous funny lighthearted slow-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? Yes

3.5

I’m somewhere between a 3.5-4 stars✨🌟✨

I really enjoyed the found family aspect of this novel; the Wynchester dynamic was so cozy and lovely, I could feel myself smiling every time there was a new scene with them. 

The aspects that I didn’t particularly enjoy was Lawrence’s overall attitude (especially when Chloe tells him about a vase of his and him needing to marry for money); one minute he was uppity about society and the next minute he was obsessed with Chloe and her family. I also didn’t like that the reveal about the Wynchester’s family wealth was left to the last few pages. 

Also, it was a bit too long and slow burn for my liking and having not one but two conflicts with Lawrence and Chloe made me think she should’ve went out with the Earl of Sotherby instead (although have a feeling that he’s going to make an appearance in another Wynchester storyline in the future).

Traitor King: The Duke and Duchess of Windsor in Exile by Andrew Lownie
Did not finish book. Stopped at 47%.

Utterly bored with the formatting of this book unfortunately. I’m going to track down the documentary of the same name and author of this book. The subject matter interests me greatly. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Racial slurs, Xenophobia

The New Royals: Queen Elizabeth's Legacy and the Future of the Crown by Katie Nicholl

emotional informative relaxing medium-paced

4.0

“When the castle stands, it’s theirs, when it burns down, it’s ours” - Chapter 3 

The Irresistible Rogue by Valerie Bowman
Did not finish book. Stopped at 5%.

It didn’t really grab me from the first three chapters that I read. I don’t think on the whole that books about spies is my jam. Although there will always be exceptions to my rule.

A Short History of Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce by Massimo Montanari
Did not finish book. Stopped at 31%.

It was super dry and really overly written (in a non-interesting and non-engaging academic style). 

Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted slow-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? Yes

3.5

The Petroleum Papers: Inside the Far-Right Conspiracy to Cover Up Climate Change by Geoff Dembicki

challenging informative sad medium-paced

5.0