marekcornett's reviews
758 reviews

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

The Idea of You by Robinne Lee

challenging emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

I’m a closed door romance kind of reader, so this 🔥 book was a challenge for me to pick up, tbh. However, I enjoyed the plot & characters and even got through the spicy parts without fast forwarding. 

The Wedding People by Alison Espach

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-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

4.5

This book is unexpected and delightful. I found myself cheering for the characters at the same time I was yelling, “nooooo!” and honestly, I don’t even know how that’s possible. I loved the story. I loved the ending. I loved the characters. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt

Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera

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

3.0

This one has gotten a LOT of hype, so maybe it’s just me. I enjoy thrillers that seem plausible but catch you off guard. This one had a few too many leaps to the “uh, that could/would never happen” or “why on earth would someone not notice THAT.” Just didn’t hit for me.

Christmas Is All Around by Martha Waters

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-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? No

4.0

Another book to add to your holiday list! This was a fun rom-com, but it wasn’t syrupy sweet. There was enough fun banter between the two  main characters that they built tension but weren’t aggravating. 

Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy! 

I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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? Yes

4.5

This book started slowly for me. Enough that I was looking at reviews to figure out if I should DNF, but I’m so happy I stuck with it. After the plot got its footing, the story developed beautifully. There were heartbreaking moments and ones that made my heart soar. I loved the cast of characters (well… most of them, ha).

Kill for Me, Kill for You by Steve Cavanagh

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

This was a wild ride. As we follow four main characters through several attacks, attempted murders and actual murders, this book starts dark and stays there. However, it’s very well written and the plot keeps you guessing motives.

One Big Happy Family by Susan Mallery

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective tense 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? No

4.5

Hooray! A holiday novel I can get behind this year. I worried this was just going to be a powder keg of drama - several people with complicated dynamics in a cabin for a week leading to Christmas. But I loved the stories that developed and the sense of redemption through several of the family lines! 

Thanks to NetGalley and Canary Street Press for the advanced copy!

The Merriest Misters by Timothy Janovsky

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

3.5

It’s like if the movie The Santa Clause replaced Scott Calvin with Scott & Calvin, the dynamic gay couple who are currently “wading through a rough patch.”

I was super into the beginning of this story, but the middle dragged through as we were working through that rough patch. Rarely do I wish a plot were different, but I really wanted to follow this couple as they fell into the North Pole & had a great time. Unfortunately, they brought their marriage woes with them, so it took away that Christmas magic for me. A solid holiday novel, but it may be a little too sad for some.