lmrajt's reviews
1116 reviews

Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This was a fun and entertaining romp through Asian culture across several continents. Really fun, playful, over-the-top, maybe even a little campy. Lots of intrigue and drama, but playfulness too. Saw the plot twist coming but that was intentional. Fun read!

The Trap by Catherine Ryan Howard

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

The number of plot twists? Wow. The changes in narration? Also wow. This one was basically unputdownable. The characters were so unlikable, and hard to get a read on somehow, but it honestly didn't matter. Ireland, mystery, serial killer - SOLD! 

Just Another Missing Person by Gillian McAllister

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I wasn't sure about this one b/c I didn't like her other book about time travel (I don't like any books about time travel), but this was super suspenseful and had excellent plot twists. Love a good British police/DI mystery novel.

The Other Valley by Scott Alexander Howard

dark reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

Speculative fiction, well-written, with a less depressing ending than I feared. A solid but sorrowful read - I have a feeling this one will stay with me.

How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.

The writing was magnetic and gorgeous, but I found the father too triggering for me right now.

Hostage by Clare Mackintosh

emotional tense fast-paced

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

4.0

For the first 90% of this book, it was a 3-star. Solid suspense novel, totally riveting, interesting premise (similar to Falling, I thought). But almost at the end there was a lot twist that SHOCKED ME - truly, standing ovation to the author, and then ANOTHER ONE in the last page or twos. Well done.

Bad Summer People by Emma Rosenblum

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This was a light, fluffy, salacious beach read in the vein of Elin Hilderbrand, set on Fire Island instead of Nantucket and with slightly less likable characters. Great for a vacation in LA!

You Could Make This Place Beautiful: A Memoir by Maggie Smith

emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

5.0

Brava! This divorce memoir felt fresh and original. It was funny, it was sad, and I’d like to hang out with the (highly relatable, kick ass) author. So good!

Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

emotional lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.5

This was my first by this author and I didn’t realize it was part of a series - but I loved it! Was it predictable? Sure. Was it a little formulaic? Also yes. But it felt smarter and more authentic than the typical romance novel - I’d put it on par with Elin Hilderbrand, and that’s a big compliment from me. Can’t wait to read more of her work.

Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau

emotional reflective tense slow-paced

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

3.5

This was a book club book - and the kind of book where not much happened, but the character development was excellent. A coming-of-age story set in the 70s, and very well done. I did want more to transpire, but it was an enjoyable read overall.