magsisreadingagain's reviews
2014 reviews

We Solve Murders by Richard Osman

funny lighthearted mysterious 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

4.5

Rouge by Mona Awad

dark tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I always go into a Mona Awad book prepared for a completely twisted experience. And Rouge definitely delivered.

This was a fever-dream, fed by grief, envy and the drive to be beautiful. Awad examines the beauty industry, uncovering the ugly underbelly of the multi-million dollar business model that plays on our insecurities and has the power to decimate our self-esteem. After reading her previous novels, I was not surprised with the path(s) this book took. 

Will recommend this book to fans of Awad, and readers who like to explore topics from an unusual perspective. Many thanks to Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary eARC  in exchange for my honest thoughts. 

What Happened to the McCrays? by Tracey Lange

emotional hopeful reflective sad 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

4.0

Tracy Lange scores another winner with this wonderful story of second chances after heartbreak. I have been smitten with each of Lange’s books, and I keep waiting for a “slump”, but this is not the book. 

These characters and their stories feel real and plausible. And in true Lange style, the characters are perfectly imperfect, with secondary characters that don’t feel like they’re thrown in as filler. Cannot deny there were some tears shed at various moments.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for providing me with a complimentary eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts. I recommend you add this to your 2025 reading plans when it releases on Jan 14.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Medical trauma and Suicide attempt

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

emotional reflective 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

4.25

A Dawn of Gods & Fury by K.A. Tucker

adventurous dark hopeful 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

Table for Two by Amor Towles

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

4.5

I Died on a Tuesday by Jane Corry

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.5

Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan

hopeful lighthearted 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

3.5

The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan

hopeful lighthearted 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

3.75

Christmas at the Little Paris Hotel by Rebecca Raisin

emotional hopeful lighthearted 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

3.5