marthareadsacouplebooks's reviews
49 reviews

Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter

dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

The book had me gripped from start to finish, I needed to know how everything was going to end! I loved how when one question was answered there was always another that still needed answering, even though the answer to the main plot was given pretty early on. I also loved reading every little chapter that came from the dad's pov and his thoughts and feelings, which helped to break me at the end of the book 😭😭 I also liked reading about the sisterly relationship between Claire and Lydia and how it developed for the better through the story.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

adventurous emotional sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.0

I feel this was way too overhyped for me which is pretty disappointing with how much I wanted to enjoy the book. I liked reading about Patroclus and Achilles's childhood and growing up to who they became, but after that the book just seemed to drag way too much for me. The only really redeeming part of the book was the last page which broke me

The Garden of Memories by Amanda James

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Thank you to the author and publisher for the copy 💕

I loved this book from start to finish! It was such a nice cosy read that I never wanted to put it down. I loved learning about the characters and their lives and personalities, as well as seeing them change throughout the book whether it was healing from the past or just changing with age for the better. I also loved the progression of the garden through the book as well as how much the garden became part of the community and something every character could enjoy.

Summer with a Fireman by Carolina Jax

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

This was such a super cute romance as well as a quick read! The story flows perfectly (honestly could have been longer and I'd love it) and it felt as if it was only a couple chapters! The dynamic between marigold and maddox was incredible and I loved the enemies to lovers that they had with the ups and downs that they had towards the end of the book. I also loved how nicely the book was rounded up with all the problems present in the story all rounded up and resolved.

Knife River by Justine Champine

dark emotional mysterious sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No

4.0

I really enjoyed this book through the majority of it, just I felt maybe the mid section was a little bit dragged out too much for me. I loved reading about the characters and how they dealt with their lives after their mother's disappearance/death. I also liked reading about Jess and Eva's relationship and how it developed through the story and how it was connected to the story in a bit of a way. The ending of the book was incredible to read and see what happened to their mother but also nice to read how the book was rounded up to a close.

Funny Story by Emily Henry

emotional funny hopeful relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I didn't think I'd like this book at first as I didn't really like other Emily Henry books but I was really mistaken 😂 the characters were amazing and I loved them as well as their relationship and how it developed. I also loved the humour that was spread throughout the book every page turn. I loved how the book also touched on parental difficulties with both mcs and how it was rounded up at the end of the book.

King of Wrath by Ana Huang

funny lighthearted tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

I loved this book from the first 20 pages!! It could be because the arranged marriage trope is one of my favourites but the relationship was so good with the dynamic between Vivian and Dante and how it developed through the story to becoming such a cute and incredible relationship between the two (with ups and downs too). I just feel like the ending was a bit sudden with how they get back together and a bit abrupt and unsatisfying to me sadly

Cross the Line by Simone Soltani

funny hopeful relaxing fast-paced

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

5.0

This was the cutest romance I think I may have read! From start to finish I was hooked and loving the dynamics of the characters. I (of course) loved the F1 through the book and love the characters as if they're real 😂😂 I really hoped for both willow and Devs career developments and cheered at their endings (also the epilogue had me in pure shock omg-). I was definitely right to have looked forward to reading this!!

Descended by Ingrid J. Adams

adventurous challenging mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

Thank you to the author for a digital copy of the book 💕

I'm not sure how to feel about this book. The beginning of it really grabbed me and I couldn't put it down, however from around 40% to 80% for me the book just dragged a bit too much for me and I just felt it could be a little bit shorter in that section. However it really brought it back in the final section of the book and I was hooked! I loved the magic elements that the book had and how it all worked as well as indigo's love confession!!! I also really liked how the book touched on mental health and depression and how it went about conveying it to the reader as well as the healing from it. I desperately need to read the next book after that cliffhanger as well!

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

emotional hopeful sad slow-paced

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

3.25

I really liked the premise and the plot for this book, it just never really grabbed me as much as I was hoping and expecting it to. I liked reading Sadie and Sam's relationship and how it developed through their lives with the twists and turns as well as the issues in their friendship that they both faced in the book, it just after a while felt a little repetitive. The book also definitely put me in my feels towards the end (if you know you know 😭😭😭)