marekcornett's reviews
759 reviews

Real Life and Other Fictions by Susan Coll

adventurous funny informative lighthearted mysterious reflective fast-paced

5.0

This was such an interesting book! Because there was a magical realism tilt, I kept second-guessing the narrator. It’s never tense, but it’s pretty much always curious. If you need a cut-and-dry story that doesn’t make you question how things are playing out, I’d stay away from this one. For this one, you have to be okay feeling just one step away from  believing everything is a dream. 

Special thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus for the copy of this book! 

Funny Story by Emily Henry

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

Emily Henry does summer reads so well, and this was no different. I loved these characters more than some of her previous books. Sweet story that left me cheering for the main characters. 

Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

I really enjoyed the push/pull tension of this will they, won't they romance. As we follow Molly and Seth's relationship told from both sides, we get insights into each person's relationship with the other, why they're concerned, why they want to be together, why they don't. It's funny, sweet and endearing. 

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the advanced copy of the audiobook. The narrators were fun to follow along! 

If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay

dark mysterious tense fast-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

5.0

Home Is Where the Bodies Are by Jeneva Rose

dark emotional mysterious reflective 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

Absolutely loved this one. Kept me guessing along the way with several turns I wasn’t expecting. 

When We Were Silent by Fiona McPhillips

dark sad 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? It's complicated

3.5

Oof this was a hard book to read, and it’s certainly not for everyone. STRONG sexual assault trigger warnings. I had a really hard time rating this one.

We follow two storylines, one when the main character was in high school and another when her daughter is. Embroiled in scandal, the swim club breeds a culture of sexual predation. As the stories weave, we learn more and more about two deaths in the center of it all. It was gripping, tense, sad.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to read this in advance of publication. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, and Murder

This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune

emotional funny hopeful 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? No

4.5

As the book started, it seemed like it was going to be a lighthearted, sexy read. But as the characters developed, the book’s complexity took shape and became a lovely story. And now I want to book a trip to Prince Edward Island! 

Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective sad 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

We follow Daphne as she moves through relationships throughout her life, but with one big twist: she gets a note for each partner with their name and how long they'll be together prior to the relationship. The tension throughout the book is well-paced, and there's a BIG twist about halfway through that tosses everything up in the air. Really enjoyed this one on audio, and Julia Whelan narrates! 

Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle

adventurous emotional funny hopeful reflective sad 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

What a lovely book. We follow the main character through her relationships but with one big twist: Daphne gets notes about who she’s going to be with and for how long. The tension built throughout the book is well-paced, and there’s a big twist that keeps things even more on edge about halfway through. Also, Julia Whelan narrates, and she’s perfect.

Very Bad Company by Emma Rosenblum

funny mysterious fast-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

This was a FAST read. Like, finished the audiobook within 24 hours fast, and it had me interested from page #1. We follow a tech company to their executive retreat in Miami, and it all goes awry from there. The story is told from multiple perspectives of the executives with no one single person as the main character. There's a death and a mystery on our hands. True to it's title, this is indeed a Very Bad Company. 

Thanks to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for the advanced copy! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse