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louisebeereading's reviews
33 reviews
One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.75
Just Last Night by Mhairi McFarlane
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
5.0
The Club by Takis Wรผrger
Girls drink is spiked, then sexual assault. Not graphic
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
A German student is tasked with infiltrating an all-male Cambridge boxing club to uncover it's dark secrets. Follow Hans as he attempts to join this club, solve the mystery and keep his head on straight.
I really enjoyed this book. My first time reading a novel translated from German. However, it was hard to rate - it's a challenging but capitvating read. The writing/translation and character development was well done, but different to what I am used to. On review I see how the issues could have been handled more delicately, but I'm not sure how much of that to attribute to "lost in translation" and flaws of the way the characters themselves think. I still can't believe how underrated this book is, I was hooked from the first 20 pages and despite being a hard subject matter to do well, the mystery element meant I wanted to keep on reading. I read it in two days, around a full time job.
Despite thinking it's underrated, and having enjoyed it, I have a hard time thinking of who I can recommend this to. A strange mix. Kind of a paperback fiction chick lit version of a mystery book dealing with class and entitled men.
Read the trigger warnings and if you're ready for a quick, mysterious, challenging read, that you don't mind looking at critically, give it a go.
I really enjoyed this book. My first time reading a novel translated from German. However, it was hard to rate - it's a challenging but capitvating read. The writing/translation and character development was well done, but different to what I am used to. On review I see how the issues could have been handled more delicately, but I'm not sure how much of that to attribute to "lost in translation" and flaws of the way the characters themselves think. I still can't believe how underrated this book is, I was hooked from the first 20 pages and despite being a hard subject matter to do well, the mystery element meant I wanted to keep on reading. I read it in two days, around a full time job.
Despite thinking it's underrated, and having enjoyed it, I have a hard time thinking of who I can recommend this to. A strange mix. Kind of a paperback fiction chick lit version of a mystery book dealing with class and entitled men.
Read the trigger warnings and if you're ready for a quick, mysterious, challenging read, that you don't mind looking at critically, give it a go.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Rape, Sexual assault, and Violence
Minor: Gun violence, Homophobia, Suicide, Self harm, and Drug use
Don't You Forget About Me by Mhairi McFarlane
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.25
It is hard to describe how warm I feel about this book. I love this book in a way that simultaneously makes me want to keep it as mine, just mine, and shout from the rooftops how it made me laugh and cry and grin like a kid. Georgina feels like a friend I'm not ready to say goodbye to just yet and Lucas feels like my own crush.
I got this in a romance "lucky dip" sort of box last year and can't believe I haven't heard more about it.
It was so well paced and each character felt real. I related to Georgina more than I have maybe any other. But she is much funnier.
Will definitely be picking up more from Mhairi as soon as I'm over my book buying ban! Keeping this bad boy on the shelf ๐ฅฐ
I got this in a romance "lucky dip" sort of box last year and can't believe I haven't heard more about it.
It was so well paced and each character felt real. I related to Georgina more than I have maybe any other. But she is much funnier.
Will definitely be picking up more from Mhairi as soon as I'm over my book buying ban! Keeping this bad boy on the shelf ๐ฅฐ
Kissing Tolstoy by Penny Reid
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
I got so bored at Chapter 17 (last chapter before epilogue) that I had to DNF. I never DNF. This book is not like other girls meets I had a fantasy about my high school teacher but have to write it as a college situation so I can incorporate smut. There was no real build up and Anna's personality was a collection of pop and literature references. She annoyed me. Luka had so little personality it's actually impressive. They started out 2D and did not improve. If I didn't already like grumpy/sunshine trope I would hate it by now.
The Road Trip by Beth O'Leary
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.25
What a fantastic listen. This roadtrip is like no other - two sisters, an ex, toxic best friend and an awkward stranger catching a ride to a mutual friend's wedding - is about as chaotic as it sounds.
Beth O'Leary has outdone herself with this forced proximity, dual POV, dual timeline second chance romance. Sounds confusing right? But no! The audible version uses two fantastic voice actors with clear announcements of the changing timeline which means the execution is masterful.
I loved the romance and tension between Dylan and Abbie, with just the right amount of drama. Everyone feels so incredibly human and still so loveable. So excited to read O'Leary's other novels!
Beth O'Leary has outdone herself with this forced proximity, dual POV, dual timeline second chance romance. Sounds confusing right? But no! The audible version uses two fantastic voice actors with clear announcements of the changing timeline which means the execution is masterful.
I loved the romance and tension between Dylan and Abbie, with just the right amount of drama. Everyone feels so incredibly human and still so loveable. So excited to read O'Leary's other novels!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, Sexual content, and Addiction
Anne of Windy Poplars by L.M. Montgomery
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
What a cosy read. Like many people I was inspired to read the Anne of Green Gables series from the Anne with an E show and the rise of cottagecore. I sped through the first 3 books, lapping up the little glimmers of romance and falling in love with Anne. This book felt like Autumn, with Anne discovering herself even more with the comfort of knowing your love waits for you. I struggled when I reached the halfway point- couldn't keep up with all the characters being introduced and went on a hiatus of a year, occasionally checking back now and then. This week I decided to get over my slump and finished it in 3 days.
My Favorite Half-Night Stand by Christina Lauren
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.75
This is a fun Friend's to lovers romance(always a fan), but had a bit of the miscommunication trope that both draws me in and annoys me ๐ง
I love Christina Lauren's characters as per usual, nailing the balance between flawed and lovable, but this one was more fluff and spice than say Love and Other Words (5๐) and The Soulmate Equation (5๐). Would have liked to explore both Millie's and Reid's internal struggles around things other than romance a bit more deeply which marked it down a bit. Still loved reading it and would recommend for someone in a reading slump.๐
I love Christina Lauren's characters as per usual, nailing the balance between flawed and lovable, but this one was more fluff and spice than say Love and Other Words (5๐) and The Soulmate Equation (5๐). Would have liked to explore both Millie's and Reid's internal struggles around things other than romance a bit more deeply which marked it down a bit. Still loved reading it and would recommend for someone in a reading slump.๐
Atonement by Ian McEwan
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.75
Superb book. A challenging read exploring the far reaching consequences of a child's overactive imagination coupled with conviction and witnessing a crime. Set before and during WWII, McEwan masterfully explores multiple POVs both female and male. Would recommend highly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Gun violence
Moderate: Rape, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Minor: Incest, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Child death, Classism, Cursing, Death, and Dementia
Runaway by Alice Munro
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
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
3.75
Feels like a modern classic. Challenging but worth it. A review on my copy of the book says "a beautiful echoing collection" and I cannot think of a better word. Echoing.
I am not used to reading short story collections and at the end of some stories I wish they gave more time to the secure parts of the characters lives, not just the times where they were challenged. I left some stories wanting more, but I suppose that only speaks to how well Munro captures realism.
I am not used to reading short story collections and at the end of some stories I wish they gave more time to the secure parts of the characters lives, not just the times where they were challenged. I left some stories wanting more, but I suppose that only speaks to how well Munro captures realism.