Scan barcode
madisbookshelf's reviews
26 reviews
Scarred by Emily McIntire
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
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
Another 10 star read from the Never After Series! This series has me in a FIRM chokehold and I'm utterly obsessed with everything these characters have to offer. Sara is such a boss bitch and I wish nothing more than to be her when I grow up. Also the relationship between her, simon, and tristan....ADORABLE. my favorite part of the whole story.
Emily babes, I LOVE YOU! please never ever stop this series, i am BEGGING you.
Emily babes, I LOVE YOU! please never ever stop this series, i am BEGGING you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
We Sold Our Souls by Grady Hendrix
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
this was my first grady hendrix book and overall i thoroughly enjoyed it! i loved the overall story and found the Troglodyte album being intertwined throughout the story very creative! i typically don't like stories that have a slower pace, which i feel this one has, but this one kept me engaged the entire time!
the overuse of "and" and "said" kinda of threw me off a bit and there were a few points where I was confused on exactly what was going on.
however, i really enjoyed the story and cannot wait to read another book by mr. hendrix
the overuse of "and" and "said" kinda of threw me off a bit and there were a few points where I was confused on exactly what was going on.
however, i really enjoyed the story and cannot wait to read another book by mr. hendrix
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Hooked by Emily McIntire
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
absolute 10 star read. i DEVOURED this story and felt all the emotions during the process. i've fallen in love with hook and wendy. they are my mother and father.
i cannot wait to jump into the rest of the series and i'm currently choosing the tabs for scarred as a type this. emily babes, i LOVE you. thank you for this masterpiece.
i cannot wait to jump into the rest of the series and i'm currently choosing the tabs for scarred as a type this. emily babes, i LOVE you. thank you for this masterpiece.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
A Familiar Stranger by A.R. Torre
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
i love lenny. 5 stars for lenny. enough said.
The Good Lie by A.R. Torre
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Another absolute banger from Ms. A.R Torre!! I fell in love with her writing in "Every Last Secret", so I knew that I would love this book as well! "The Good Lie" is the perfect mix of rich people drama, character development, and true crime..and let me tell you I ATE this book up. As a woman who is currently in school to become a criminal psychologist, it was incredibly interesting and empowering to read about an FMC in the same profession that I wish to one day be in..even if her moral compass was a bit skewed. A few of the smaller plot twists were easily guessable now that I'm becoming a "seasoned" thriller reader (lol), but the huge plot twist at the end was a complete SHOCKER.
Overall I absolutely love this book and cannot wait to dive back into the world of A.R Torre. <3
Overall I absolutely love this book and cannot wait to dive back into the world of A.R Torre. <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Violence, Kidnapping, and Murder
One of Us Is Dead by Jeneva Rose
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Rich people drama at its finest...and I absolutely ate that shit up!
Although I figured out and correctly guess a lot of the smaller plot twists, I still had such an amazing time reading and was left completely speechless at all of the larger more powerful plot twists.
I fell in love with this catty group of women and adored that we got each of their POVs throughout the story.
Mama Crystal and mama Shannon absolutely slayed this entire book and they are now some of my favorite fictional people <3.
Overall this story has quickly become one of my favorites and Jeneva has officially become one of my favorite authors! If you love rich people drama with a true crime twist, I highly suggest reading "One of Us Is Dead".
Although I figured out and correctly guess a lot of the smaller plot twists, I still had such an amazing time reading and was left completely speechless at all of the larger more powerful plot twists.
I fell in love with this catty group of women and adored that we got each of their POVs throughout the story.
Mama Crystal and mama Shannon absolutely slayed this entire book and they are now some of my favorite fictional people <3.
Overall this story has quickly become one of my favorites and Jeneva has officially become one of my favorite authors! If you love rich people drama with a true crime twist, I highly suggest reading "One of Us Is Dead".
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Trafficking
Kyland by Mia Sheridan
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
It's Mia Sheridan...are we really that surprised?! In all seriousness, this book was amazing and I will now forever be jealous that I did not grow up in nature.
This was my second read from Mia Sheridan and with each book, I continue to fall more and more in love with her stories and writing style. Every character she writes is so detailed and truly feels more like a real friend or person than just a fictional character.
As for the story, I adored following the lives of Kyland and Tenleigh. Watching these two teens, who are constantly living in survival mode, fall in love and peace with each other was truly a heartwarming and unforgettable experience, especially as someone who can relate strongly to Tenleigh in many ways. I also really enjoyed the added anticipation that came from the scholarship plot and I absolutely loved the twist and turns that lead up to the final reveal of the story.
Overall the story was beautiful, the setting was beautiful, and each and every character was perfectly imperfect in their own way. Another great read from Mia that I highly recommend to every romance reader <3
This was my second read from Mia Sheridan and with each book, I continue to fall more and more in love with her stories and writing style. Every character she writes is so detailed and truly feels more like a real friend or person than just a fictional character.
As for the story, I adored following the lives of Kyland and Tenleigh. Watching these two teens, who are constantly living in survival mode, fall in love and peace with each other was truly a heartwarming and unforgettable experience, especially as someone who can relate strongly to Tenleigh in many ways. I also really enjoyed the added anticipation that came from the scholarship plot and I absolutely loved the twist and turns that lead up to the final reveal of the story.
Overall the story was beautiful, the setting was beautiful, and each and every character was perfectly imperfect in their own way. Another great read from Mia that I highly recommend to every romance reader <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Rape, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
Stinger by Mia Sheridan
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I love everything about this book...not much else to say!
I am obsessed with the characters, the plot, and the development that occurs throughout the story. I originally thought that it would be an "all smut/vibes no plot" kind of book but boy, I was MAJORLY wrong. the spice honestly takes a backseat to the amazing and heartwarming character development of both Grace and Carson. By the end of the story, I felt like I truly knew these characters IRL and felt proud of them many times for the changes they made to their lives.
I loved this book so much that I made my boyfriend buy me every Mia Sheridan book my local Walmart had to offer before I was even finished lol. 1000/10 stars.
I am obsessed with the characters, the plot, and the development that occurs throughout the story. I originally thought that it would be an "all smut/vibes no plot" kind of book but boy, I was MAJORLY wrong. the spice honestly takes a backseat to the amazing and heartwarming character development of both Grace and Carson. By the end of the story, I felt like I truly knew these characters IRL and felt proud of them many times for the changes they made to their lives.
I loved this book so much that I made my boyfriend buy me every Mia Sheridan book my local Walmart had to offer before I was even finished lol. 1000/10 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Trafficking, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Barbarian's Prize by Ruby Dixon
adventurous
funny
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
After hearing the recent alien news, I figured now would be a perfect time to begin the Ice Planet Barbarians series, and let me just say, I am in LOVE!
As someone who was sexually abused, I found myself relating to Tiffany and her emotions toward sex and men in general. I've seen a lot of reviews saying that they found Tiff "annoying" but I feel that Tiff is a great representation of what life is like post-assault.
Saluki has got to be one of my favorite male characters ever written...where can I find a man like this IRL?!? His patience, understanding, and eagerness to please are so attractive and make his POV chapters a treat to read.
All in all, I'm more than happy that IPB could be the series to introduce me to the sci-fi romance/smut genre. Although this book isn't the first in the series, I had no problems jumping right in and immersing myself in the story. I'm glad that this series is one that can be read in any order, however, I definitely plan on getting the rest of the series and starting from the beginning.
As someone who was sexually abused, I found myself relating to Tiffany and her emotions toward sex and men in general. I've seen a lot of reviews saying that they found Tiff "annoying" but I feel that Tiff is a great representation of what life is like post-assault.
Saluki has got to be one of my favorite male characters ever written...where can I find a man like this IRL?!? His patience, understanding, and eagerness to please are so attractive and make his POV chapters a treat to read.
All in all, I'm more than happy that IPB could be the series to introduce me to the sci-fi romance/smut genre. Although this book isn't the first in the series, I had no problems jumping right in and immersing myself in the story. I'm glad that this series is one that can be read in any order, however, I definitely plan on getting the rest of the series and starting from the beginning.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
I've said it before and I'll say it again, one hug from Susanna Kaysen could fix everything broken inside me.
"Girl, Interrupted" by Susanna Kaysen is a memoir based on her stay 18-month stay at the infamous McLean Psychiatric Hospital. From the mouth of Susanna herself, we hear of her and her fellow patients' experiences as psychiatric patients in the 1960s.
Before reading this memoir, I had never related to an author so deeply. As someone who was also hospitalized in a psychiatric facility as a teenager, I found myself relating to almost every little piece of Susanna's experience. Susanna has a way of taking complex memories and turning them into something that everyone can understand and relate to in some way that I find to be so beautiful. After completing this memoir, I feel that the young "psycho" girl inside me that was once hospitalized has finally been heard by somebody, and for that, I will always be thankful <3.
Although I personally hate rating memoirs (who am I to rate someone else's life experiences? lol), I have to give "Girl, Interrupted" five stars.
Thank you Susanna for being the queen of us mentally ill teen girls. We love you.
"Girl, Interrupted" by Susanna Kaysen is a memoir based on her stay 18-month stay at the infamous McLean Psychiatric Hospital. From the mouth of Susanna herself, we hear of her and her fellow patients' experiences as psychiatric patients in the 1960s.
Before reading this memoir, I had never related to an author so deeply. As someone who was also hospitalized in a psychiatric facility as a teenager, I found myself relating to almost every little piece of Susanna's experience. Susanna has a way of taking complex memories and turning them into something that everyone can understand and relate to in some way that I find to be so beautiful. After completing this memoir, I feel that the young "psycho" girl inside me that was once hospitalized has finally been heard by somebody, and for that, I will always be thankful <3.
Although I personally hate rating memoirs (who am I to rate someone else's life experiences? lol), I have to give "Girl, Interrupted" five stars.
Thank you Susanna for being the queen of us mentally ill teen girls. We love you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Suicide attempt, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis