marekcornett's reviews
756 reviews

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

I was 3/4 of the way into the book and had absolutely NO IDEA where it was going to end up. Really loved the story and how things came together. But what I really would like is a partner book told from the viewpoint of Abby with snippets of Grady interspersed. I feel like her story goes deeper.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the chance to review this ahead of time! 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse

Brightly Shining by Ingvild H. Rishøi

emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

The author tells the story through both what she says and just as much through what she doesn’t. We follow two sisters who live in hard circumstances. It’s told from the point of view of the youngest sister which gives us a very naive and sweet look into the story. I loved it. 

The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop

emotional funny informative inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

What a fascinating woman! If you love Emily Gilmore, then this is an automatic pick-up, but you’ll it even more if you love musicals, theatre, dancing. I learned so much about those industries while reading.

(I don’t rate memoirs. Feels weird.)

Buried Road: A Novel by Katie Tallo

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

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

2.5

I read this book at a time in my life where concentration was hard to come by. Unfortunately, that also means this cast of many, MANY characters was extremely hard to keep track of. Add to it that the author vacillates between using first names and last names, there were points in the book that I walked away confused & looking for context clues. That to say, the premise of the book is good. Just maybe takes notes as you go. 

Thanks to NetGalley &  Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. 

The No-Show by Beth O'Leary

emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad 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? No

5.0

An absolute heartbreaker. This story has you ready to fight the MMC right up until you’re ready to fight *for* him. The pacing was done well. The characters were developed perfectly. The heartstrings were pulled. 

The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan

emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

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

3.5

This had the makings of a strong holiday read - saving a shop, sisters in turmoil, two love interests. But… I just did not land. I didn’t love the FMC, so I wasn’t cheering for her to save the shop, heal her relationship or find love. 

The Library of Borrowed Hearts by Lucy Gilmore

emotional funny hopeful mysterious 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? No

4.0

This book pulled in the mystery aspect to really bring it to really draw you in. An old love story told through notes scribbled in library books? Tell me more. I really enjoyed the characters and the story, but there were a few too many convenient coincidences for me to rate it higher. I did like the book, but I'm grumpy when I think about a single character's entrance and existence throughout. 

The Drowning Woman by Robyn Harding

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

There were quite a few twists in this thriller that I didn’t see coming. Told from the perspectives of the two main characters, we get insight into a few really twisted relationships. It’s definitely dark, so prepare yourself if you pick this one up.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse and Suicide attempt

Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty

dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-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? Yes

4.0

I really enjoyed this book all the way until the ending. It took a turn away from where the book seemed to be headed and in a direction that I really didn’t care for. It’s like the author was fighting for a happy ending in some ways. 

What Does it Feel Like? by Sophie Kinsella

emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad fast-paced

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

5.0

I have a family member currently battling glioblastoma, and I wasn’t aware of the subject matter when I picked up this book. It’s heartbreaking and hopeful. It’s hard to read at the same time it’s easy to fall in love with the main character & her family. Knowing that this is a fictionalization of the author’s own story made me hopeful for all experiencing this horrible disease. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer and Terminal illness