marekcornett's reviews
758 reviews

The Last One at the Wedding by Jason Rekulak

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

“There are no limits to how far parents will go to deceive themselves.” As we follow Frank, Maggie’s father, to her wedding with glimpses back into their past relationship, I became hopeful for reconciliation. But as tragedy after tragedy keep piling up, it’s very apparent that several of the characters are not as they appear to be. 

The Book of George by Kate Greathead

challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

Lovers of Fleishman Is In Trouble will find the writing comfortable. 

We've all known a George. A lost boy who is self-important, constantly depending on others to get him through but never giving them the accolades they deserve. I found myself looking for anything that redeems him or explains his behavior, but I wasn't ever able to do it. I enjoyed the writing, however! 

Thanks to Macmillan Audio & NetGalley for the advanced copy!

Every Moment Since by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

I really enjoyed the way this mystery unfolded. A little boy, lost and suspected to be gone forever, has his story told by a wide cast of characters who played a part in his life at the time of his disappearance. The pacing was solid, and it wasn’t an obvious ending my any means. 

Thanks to NetGalley & Harper Muse for getting me a copy of this audiobook I’m advance of publication! 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death and Kidnapping

The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco by Michelle Chouinard

hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

This was a fun read. Lots of whodunit energy for both active murders and a few that had happened decades earlier, so there are a lot of threads to follow. It was fun following along with the main character as she starts unraveling the stories and how they’re tied together. 

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy!

Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective

• 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

Love this sweet book. It transcends the romance genre as it pulls in so much complexity between the relationships we have with parents and how those relationships can affect what we believe we deserve. 

The Life Impossible by Matt Haig

adventurous challenging hopeful mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

I honestly don’t know how to rate this. For the majority of the book, I felt like I was just one step away from losing the plot. It’s a very creative read, and I enjoyed it… I think? 

The Holiday Cottage by Sarah Morgan

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

2.5

The bones of this story are really good. Career-driven Imogen is raised by a mom who was absent at best, emotionally abusive at worst. When she's reconnected with a family she didn't know much about—and had been fed lies about—she has a second chance at family.

However, this book was so oddly paced. We spent 1/3 of the book focusing on career, about two pages for the Big Reveal that should have had quite a bit more tension, an obsession with a dog (this was serious overkill) and then an abrupt ending without a resolution to a very big plot line. Holiday spirit, yes. Recommended reading, no. 

Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in advance in trade for an honest review.

The Empress of Cooke County by Elizabeth Bass Parman

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad 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

4.5

Absolutely loved this book! Told from the perspectives of a mother & daughter who couldn’t be more different, we get to know the full cast of small town characters in Spark, Tennessee. You’ll fall in love with Callie Jane; you’ll wonder what the heck is up with her mom Posey who is just simply waiting to be acknowledged for all her beauty and grace. You’ll definitely want to pick this one up!

Thanks to NetGalley & HarperCollins Focus for the chance to snag this audiobook! 

All They Need to Know by Eileen Goudge

hopeful mysterious 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

3.75

This book moves at a leisurely pace, and the plot doesn’t exactly break new ground. The writing itself is solid, but I never found myself itching to dive back in. In the end, it felt more like a background palette cleanser than a page-turner. That said, not every book needs to keep you on the edge of your seat, so don’t be hesitant to pick this one up. If you love stories of found family & resilience, this is a good fit. 

Thanks to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy! 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse

All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring 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? No

5.0

Gah this book is amazing. It sent me through every emotion, but the most prominent one through was hope. Following these characters through their lives and intertwining paths was absolutely beautiful. I’m absolutely going to miss Saint and Patch, but I’ll think about them often.