lotts_library's reviews
22 reviews

BRAT: A Ghost Story by Gabriel Smith

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.5

I’m not entirely sure what I read but I can tell you that I really enjoyed it. This was a very different book for me, and is definitely one for the weird book girlies. 

Despite being over 300 pages, this was a fast paced, fever dream that was weirdly compelling and I couldn’t put it down. I actually finished it in one sitting. The writing style was also different to anything that I’ve ever read before.

It’s been two weeks since I finished it and I am STILL thinking about it and coming up with new theories. I need more people to read this ASAP so that I can discuss it!

Love Story by Lindsey Kelk

emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

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

3.5

I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback. Thank you Harper Collins UK and NetGalley!

I read this at the perfect time because I finished it the night before I went to The Eras Tour!

Sophie Taylor is a publishing nepo baby that decided to make her own path and become a teacher. BUT she’s hiding a big secret from her family. Can she survive a crazy weekend surrounded by the who’s who of the book world including having to share a cabin with the handsome and confident Joe Walsh without spilling her secret?

I absolutely love the way that Lindsey Kelk writes her female main characters and it’s what keeps me coming back for more. This was an endearing story that had me laughing out loud one minute and frustrated the next (with it being enemies to lovers) but ultimately it left me with Butterflies. 

I also felt that some really interesting and important points were made within the book surrounding the perception of the romance genre in the publishing industry and the influence of booktok.

Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan

emotional funny lighthearted fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback. Thank you NetGalley!

The Gresham family are depending on Rufus, the future Earl of Greshamsbury to save their family from debt. His mother, the Countess is adamant he must seduce a rich heiress at his sister’s wedding but will he be able to shake the feelings that he’s hiding for his best friend and ‘girl next door’ Eden?

This is much, much more than what meets the eye. This story had so many layers to it; what may look like shallow rich people drama on the surface also explored themes of classism, race and both sides of wealth. This rom-com turned into a very dramatic and heartfelt journey and gave me all the excitement and butterflies that I felt reading Crazy Rich Asians for the first time; I truly loved this book.

This was a fast paced, juicy read with so many twists and turns along the way. I really enjoyed that the story had two different timelines and liked piecing everything together before it unfolded. It gave me the opportunity to “visit” so many exclusive locations that I can only ever dream of!

This is the perfect summer read. It’s got the magic of crazy Rich Asians with a splash of bridgerton and ALL of the drama in perfect Kevin Kwan fashion. 

Green Dot by Madeleine Gray

emotional funny sad medium-paced

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

3.5

I absolutely love to love unlikeable characters but I’m afraid I couldn’t grow to love Hera. I’m so conflicted because I really enjoyed the writing style of this book, the pacing and the messy 20-something year old trying to navigate through life (my favourite kind of topic). However, I don’t think that the main trope of this book was my cup of tea. I really did enjoy how the book was written and would like to read more by Madeleine Gray in the future because of that. 

Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell

informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

This is my first non-fiction read so I’m not entirely sure how to rate it. This was a very informative book and written in an engaging way. I wanted to read this for the MLM aspect and ended up learning so much more about infamous cults, religion, Scientology, exercise classes and the importance of language itself! 

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

This book deserves absolutely all of the praise that it’s been getting. It’s a heartbreakingly bleak story but felt like such a poignant read.  This left me staring at the wall not knowing what to do with myself after I finished it.

One of the Girls by Lucy Clarke

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-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? It's complicated

4.5

This book has been on my TBR for the longest time and it did not disappoint! I waited to read this when I was on holiday in Greece which I think added something extra. I was on the edge of my seat the whole way through and I genuinely had no idea what was going to happen next. This was a fast paced book broken down into small chapters that alternated between the characters. I absolutely flew through it as I was desperate to know what happened. I really enjoyed Lucy Clarke’s writing style and I’m excited to read more from her. 

This Is How You Remember It by Catherine Prasifka

emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.5

I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback. Thank you NetGalley!

This book blew me away, I’ve never read anything like this. The second person point of view was so interesting to read! The story is very compelling and beautifully written. It’s a sort of love letter to growing up as a girl at the beginning of the internet and I identified with it a lot.

I really went through a journey reading this book and it was so interesting to me that I was able to see the world and experience it through someone else’s perspective but then at the same time feel nostalgic towards my own experiences. Particularly the teenage school years brought up a lot of feelings that I had long forgotten.

Tender, eye opening, and poignant, this book is a must read for anyone who remembers their parents bringing home their first family computer and lived their childhoods through the computer screen.

I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue

funny reflective tense 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

4.0

I loved getting to know all of the different characters and seeing their storylines and interpersonal relationships progress. The character progression was *chefs kiss*. I feel like this book shows you the best and worst of normal people, and in a weird way that comforted me. 

I LOVE JOLENE! She is the perfect unlikable, morally grey, satire main character that you can’t help but love even when you want to shake her.

If you have ever worked in an office, you will absolutely love this. Having access to everyone’s emails and messages sounds like a dream to everyone who lives a bit of office gossip - but the reality is horrendous and I’ve actually realised it would be my worst nightmare. I was on the edge of my seat for the whole book, it really was a rollercoaster!

Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum

hopeful inspiring lighthearted slow-paced

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

4.0

This was such a lovely, cosy read. This book instantly drew me in as it was about a woman who was burnt out in her job and so decided to leave and set up a bookshop. This was such a touching story and I like the way that the book focused on a set of characters and their lives and how they all intertwined rather than reading it from one perspective. I also liked that you weren’t given the full backstories of the characters when you first met them, but rather you learned more about them and their past as you spent more time with them and pieced things together. I loved the character progression and the found family aspect. I wish the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop was real, I would spend all of my time there drinking coffee, reading or crocheting!