loiereads's reviews
274 reviews

Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

challenging dark reflective sad medium-paced

Well that was a horrific read. But one that does well at highlighting the horrific things that already happen - the things that people like to brush under the carpet because they think it's "necessary".
Following the crowd will be the end of us all. 

Seatmate by Cara Bastone

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

Okay it's official: romance audiobooks are my guilty pleasure. Oh my goodness this was SO CUTE AND FUNNY. I couldn't stop giggling and grinning. I initially planned to just listen to this in the background whilst I worked but I got so invested and just had to carry on listening because it was so cute and so perfectly performed. It felt so natural and real and AGH, the back and forth banter was so sweet and it was just such a lovely experience. At times it really felt like I was there, eavesdropping on these characters' conversation. It was a bit like a podcast. Really nicely done and so enjoyable. If you want something quick, easy, funny and cute to listen to, this will not let you down. 

Always A Bridesmaid by Laura Lovely, Erin Clark

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

2.5

This one was rather cringe, although there were a few cute moments within. I didn't vibe with the MMC - he's a school headteacher yet so immature and unreasonable?? Yeah, I just didn't get it. 
An easy listen though. 

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

2024 review:
3/5 stars 
I HAVE MIXED FEELINGS. 
HOW DARE THEY DO PEETA DIRTY LIKE THAT. That sweet, caring boy deserved so much better 😩
I absolutely flew through the third book, and to be honest, looking back on it I feel a little… underwhelmed? That’s probably the best way I can describe my feelings. 
I wanted something different, but I’m not too sure what that specifically is. 
I mean, thinking about it, the story could only really take this direction, but still I feel as though I was expecting something a little… more. 
I feel like I still need to digest my thoughts and feelings. 
Don’t get me wrong, it was still a great book, and I’m totally enamoured by Suzanne Collins’ writing. It was great! 
But I feel like I wanted to storyline to be different. I don’t know. I’m really struggling to decide how I feel, so I think 3 stars is sufficient enough for now. 

2025 review: 
4/5 stars 
This is my third read through of Mockingjay, and reading over last year's review is kind of funny seeing as my feelings have changed. I now better understand the layout of the story and why it was done the way it does. Last year I felt as though I was expecting something different, and I understand why I felt like that, but this read through makes more sense to me somehow. 
Seeing the effects that the torture had on Peeta is always heartbreaking, but this time reading through, I also realised just how much Katniss suffered. She was so deeply mentally abused. Her strength is incredible, her ability to keep going... it's insane. 
I'll always encaptivated by Suzanne Collins's writing. Incredible. 
I will forever be enamoured by this series.

The Hunger Games: Official Illustrated Movie Companion by Kate Egan

informative medium-paced

4.0

Looooooved reading about the behind the scenes of the movie and the reasoning behind certain decisions that were made in regard to the visuals and storyline. Really interesting! 

Once Upon a Crime by Brynn Kelly

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.0

This was another great quick and easy audiobook to listen to. I loooooved the characters and the relationship development between the FMC and MMC!! Their back and forth banter and gentle romance was really cute and the narrators did a great job of making the characters lovable and believable. The storyline was a bit dramatic and far-fetched, but there were also some really important messages in there too. 
I'm intrigued to see if I enjoy the author's other works as well. 
Overall, a nice easy and enjoyable listen.

The Rip by Holly Craig

mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.5

This was a great quick read to get me in the summery mood. The descriptions of what it feels like to be on holiday, the dreamy, drunk-on-happiness vibes you get when in the sun and on the sand was so extremely visualised in this book. The author has a brilliant way of describing things. I was very impressed with the scenery and atmosphere building. 
The characters were so raw and real - you couldn't help but both love and hate them. Brilliant character depictions. There was a tonne of suspense and tension throughout the book and I couldn't wait to find out what happened. There were a few moments that were a bit predictable and the ending felt a little flat, but nevertheless it was still enjoyable. 
I listened to the audiobook for this book and the narration was excellent. The narrators did a fantastic job at conveying the characters' emotions and bringing the story to life. 
Went into this book not expecting too much, but was very impressed. 

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

adventurous reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

2024 review:
Wow. For some reason, what happens in the second book is not what I was expecting. But it was great. Of course, once again I felt that the start was a little slow, and I was surprised at how fast everything happened in the last quarter. I sped through the last 30% and can honestly say that I'm so excited to read the third book! 
The direction of the story was little predictable, but it was done in a way where I was still surprised at what happened. 
The relationship between Katniss and Peeta is so interesting I'm like DO I SHIP THEM OR NOT???? Are they endgame???? IDK WHAT TO FEEL. 
Regardless, I can't wait to move on to the third book, and I'm so glad I decided to read this series. 
I'm also so excited to rewatch the films as well! 

2025 review:
Catching Fire is my favourite of the three books so rereading this was so fun. I loved seeing the interactions between Peeta and Katniss ans I still wish more of them were included in the films. Some of them are so wholesome, and would have really shaped their characters. But nevertheless, it was still nice seeing them within the books. 
Reading the book makes the film make so much more sense. There were elements of the book that I had forgotten, which makes the story more easy to decipher. I love the Catching Fire movie, but I do think the book is better. 
Looking forward to rereading The Mockingjay now! 

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Reading The Hunger Games after SOTR is reaaaaaally hurting me 😭 
All the comparisons between Katniss and Haymitch breaks my heart. 
Also, there's so much romance between Katniss and Peeta??? I know the romance isn't the main focus of THG, but I still would have loved to have seen Katniss's gentle falling in love with Peeta more 😢 
I'm excited to reread Catching Fire again. It's my favourite of the movies, so I can't wait! 

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

challenging dark tense fast-paced

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

4.5

OH MY GOODNESS I JUST !!!!
MY EMOTIONS ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE RIGHT NOW! 
I love Haymitch so much, and when I heard that there was going to be a prequel novel for his games, I was so excited! 
I have to be honest and say that I really didn’t enjoy President Snow’s prequel. I just couldn’t vibe with him and see past my blinding hatred for him so it was difficult for me to connect to the story. 
But this… damn, this was the complete opposite. As soon as I started reading, I couldn’t stop. It was so interesting to see Haymitch at the start; cheeky, slightly carefree - in love. It’s such a stark contrast compared to how we know him from The Hunger Games novels. It was heartbreaking to see him change over time, with the things he had to go through and see. I really enjoyed going back into the games and seeing them from another person’s perspective. 
I was gripped throughout the whole story and I just wanted to keep reading and reading until I got to the end. 
And let me tell you: that epilogue absolutely DESTROYED ME. I didn’t realise how much I needed new Katniss and Peeta content until now. 
AGH. I just !!!!
This book was definitely worth waiting for, and definitely worth all the hype. I can’t wait for the MOVIE ADAPTATION - because there better be one, otherwise I’m THROWING HANDS. 
I think Suzanne should do a Finnick prequel now 😉