lmrajt's reviews
1186 reviews

The Wedding People by Alison Espach

emotional lighthearted reflective 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? Yes

5.0

This was just a really solid read and it reminded me of Elin or Liane at their best. It was funny and warm and smart and introspective, the setting was really fun, and it was just an overall delight to read. Totally understand why this lives up to the hype!

The Book of Witching by C.J. Cooke

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

2.25

This was a book club book and it was just okay for me. Some aspects were well-developed, some weren't. The characters' behavior was often inscrutable and there was a lot that didn't make sense or add up for me. The children were written so unrealistically I was surprised to learn the author had children. All that aside, I wanted to know what happened next and how it ended - it did a good job being suspenseful.

Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner

challenging emotional funny medium-paced

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

4.5

This book was astonishingly well-written. The energy and humor were unmatched. I couldn't make it a full five stars because it felt soooo long and might have benefitted from some editing, but I was in awe of the writing on every page and it made me laugh out loud repeatedly. Well-done!

Nantucket Nights by Elin Hilderbrand

emotional mysterious fast-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

3.0

Real Americans by Rachel Khong

dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• 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

This was quite good, better than I expected. Very light sci-fi/speculative elements, multi-generational family saga, continent hopping. Asked interesting philosophical questions. Well done.

Husbands & Lovers by Beatriz Williams

adventurous emotional medium-paced

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

4.25

Really enjoyed this! The settings (especially Egypt), the alternating love stories, the way it jumped around in time (occasionally confusing, but forgiven). It felt like classic Beatriz Williams, which was lovely b/c I haven’t read her in awhile. Well done.

Family Family by Laurie Frankel

challenging emotional lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

I enjoyed reading this and wanted to pick it up, but much of it felt improbable/inscrutable. The characters were so charming and entertaining, it made for light reading. This was a book club book.

Same As It Ever Was by Claire Lombardo
Did not finish book. Stopped at 28%.

Not sure why I’m the DNF Queen lately, but I just could not enjoy the main character in either timeline she inhabited. I was 28% through and felt like I’d been reading for an entire year. 

Teddy by Emily Dunlay
Did not finish book. Stopped at 60%.

I made it over halfway but the main character was kind of spineless and pathetic, and her husband was a jerk, and they just irritated me too much to continue.

Our Kind of Game by Johanna Copeland

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

This had a little more oomph than the typical suspense novel because of its messages about how society devalues women and motherhood. Some of the premise seemed far fetched and the plot twists were somewhat predictable. ‘‘Twas a good read though!