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meg_'s reviews
480 reviews
Wolfsong by TJ Klune
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I have so many thoughts on this book, and unfortunately, the majority of them are bad. I feel sad about it because the premise of the book had such promise and I truly loved the initial found family element. But my feelings shifted pretty quickly when I realized that the romance within this book was this incredibly weird age gap that felt uber uncomfortable. Our main character is 16 at the time that he meets the "love interest" who I believe is 10 or 11 at the time they meet. I didn't realize this was going to be the primarily love interest until way further in and I had to re-read the synopsis to confirm it because I was a bit shocked. It's not just the actual age difference, but the fact that our main character, Ox, essentially watches Joe grow up from such a young age. It feel super weird, especially considering how frequently their first meeting was mentioned, even far into the timeline when it was clear there was meant to be a romantic relationship between the two of them. Super fucking weird.
And then, the two start an actual romantic relationship when Joe is still underage and Ox is 23?! Absolutely not. I just don't understand the decision to have the age gap play out that way. The two characters aren't really that far apart in age, but it's the dynamic of when they meet and watch each other grow up that is super fucking weird. Like maybe if they met when Joe was in his teen years and Ox was older and THEN there's a long period without seeing one another where Joe returns as an adult and is suddenly full grown and Ox realizes his feelings, I could see, but this was so weird. I know I've gone on too long about this in particular but it truly made me feel uncomfortable the whole book because even near the end of the book I couldn't help but view Joe as a child/adolescent, even when he was an adult.
The other piece that I disliked is how many people were added to Ox's pack. The initial found family for Ox with the Bennett family was so sweet and heartwarming to read, but as the story goes on the found family suddenly becomes the whole town? It was really hard to suspend my disbelief.
Lastly, the descriptors of the torture of Richard felt like way unnecessary and so horrifying.
The book honestly kind of reminded me of the aftg series because so much wild shit happened that was just unbelievable, but the biggest difference again was that throughout aftg our characters are all young adults!
Alright, rant over. I would not recommend reading this.
And then, the two start an actual romantic relationship when Joe is still underage and Ox is 23?! Absolutely not. I just don't understand the decision to have the age gap play out that way. The two characters aren't really that far apart in age, but it's the dynamic of when they meet and watch each other grow up that is super fucking weird. Like maybe if they met when Joe was in his teen years and Ox was older and THEN there's a long period without seeing one another where Joe returns as an adult and is suddenly full grown and Ox realizes his feelings, I could see, but this was so weird. I know I've gone on too long about this in particular but it truly made me feel uncomfortable the whole book because even near the end of the book I couldn't help but view Joe as a child/adolescent, even when he was an adult.
The other piece that I disliked is how many people were added to Ox's pack. The initial found family for Ox with the Bennett family was so sweet and heartwarming to read, but as the story goes on the found family suddenly becomes the whole town? It was really hard to suspend my disbelief.
Lastly, the descriptors of the torture of Richard felt like way unnecessary and so horrifying.
The book honestly kind of reminded me of the aftg series because so much wild shit happened that was just unbelievable, but the biggest difference again was that throughout aftg our characters are all young adults!
Alright, rant over. I would not recommend reading this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Violence, Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, and Torture
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
I absolutely loved this book. It was very hyped a few years ago, which always makes me a little cautious, but sometimes the hype is totally justified and that was the case with this book. The characters pulled me in right from the first chapter and I grew to love them as we flipped back and forth between present day and the past that built the history of our two main characters.
Each of these characters is so well developed and so easy to love entirely. The tie between the two of them across time and circumstance feels so important and tangible, despite being just a feeling. I love the depth of their relationship and the way that it grew. I love their soulmate dynamic. Highly recommend this read.
Each of these characters is so well developed and so easy to love entirely. The tie between the two of them across time and circumstance feels so important and tangible, despite being just a feeling. I love the depth of their relationship and the way that it grew. I love their soulmate dynamic. Highly recommend this read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Self harm, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Chronic illness
Don't Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma R. Alban
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This was fine to me, but I didn't love it, even though I wanted to! The overarching plot of the book was cute, but I didn't feel the chemistry between our two main characters as much as I wanted to and I wish there was more time for the love to develop between the two of them. It felt like it went from friends to lovers without any time for the actual romantic feelings to blossom, which left me feeling a little disappointed. The chemistry between their parents on the other hand was super apparent and made me want to read a book about their love story! Overall, I think the book was a tad too long and the relationship building was a little too glossed over but I did find it to be a fun quick read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Misogyny
The Atlas Complex by Olivie Blake
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
It hurts me a little bit to give this such a low rating but this was such a disappointing conclusion to a series I have genuinely enjoyed up until this point. Each of these books has been a bit difficult to follow plot-wise, but this one was painfully slow and all over the place. I think I've said this about previous books in the series, but there were times where I felt like I was too dumb to read and understand this book.
The most disappointing piece of this installment was that it felt like all of the plot elements and characters who I'd really enjoyed up to this book shifted so completely in this installment that I didn't really like any of it anymore. I'm not sure if that makes sense but I will try to give an example.In previous books, I have really enjoyed reading the relationship between Libby and Tristan. I've loved the "will they, won't they" and the pull they feel toward one another. And in addition to that, I've always really love Libby as a character. Her anxious tendencies felt really relatable for me. This book made me hate Libby and made me absolutely not want her and Tristan together, which ultimately is what happened with the plot. But those elements I loved were lost. And characters who I LOVED (sweet golden retriever energy Nico) died seemingly out of nowhere? /spoiler>
It just did not feel the same as previous installments in the series and I finished the book feeling disappointed and super unsatisfied with the ending. It felt like literally every character got the shit end of the stick in the end. Which I guess, is enjoyable and realistic to some, but I was not a fan.
The most disappointing piece of this installment was that it felt like all of the plot elements and characters who I'd really enjoyed up to this book shifted so completely in this installment that I didn't really like any of it anymore. I'm not sure if that makes sense but I will try to give an example.
It just did not feel the same as previous installments in the series and I finished the book feeling disappointed and super unsatisfied with the ending. It felt like literally every character got the shit end of the stick in the end. Which I guess, is enjoyable and realistic to some, but I was not a fan.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
You, Again by Kate Goldbeck
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Honestly, I read this book so quickly that I can't remember a good chunk of it, or what happened in the end lol.
What I will say is that typically I adore a friends to lovers trope in any book, but this one just didn't do it for me. I think part of that is that I really didn't like the female main character. I found her to be overly self serving and self absorbed to the point of it really impacting all of the relationships in her life. I understand that part of this personality trait is an element of her personal growth throughout the book, but it was really off putting to me in a main character who I am supposed to root for. I enjoyed Josh as a character more, but he was so overacommodating to Ari and her needs that I felt like elements of his personality were lost, and not in a personal growth way. The whole last portion of the book felt like such a struggle to get through because it dragged so much.
This book has so many plot elements that I typically would love but it definitely fell flat for me.
What I will say is that typically I adore a friends to lovers trope in any book, but this one just didn't do it for me. I think part of that is that I really didn't like the female main character. I found her to be overly self serving and self absorbed to the point of it really impacting all of the relationships in her life. I understand that part of this personality trait is an element of her personal growth throughout the book, but it was really off putting to me in a main character who I am supposed to root for. I enjoyed Josh as a character more, but he was so overacommodating to Ari and her needs that I felt like elements of his personality were lost, and not in a personal growth way. The whole last portion of the book felt like such a struggle to get through because it dragged so much.
This book has so many plot elements that I typically would love but it definitely fell flat for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
challenging
emotional
fast-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
5.0
I absolutely LOVED this book. The way that the plot and characters are so well fleshed out right fromt he start was so well done and made the story so believable throughout. I genuinely felt like these could all be real people, despite some of the less believable elements of the plot. The main characters of the story were so enjoyable to read, but the author also builds out the personalities and worlds of each of the side characters and it further contributes to how real everything within the story feels.
The main elements of the book that I adored was the soulmate relationship between Elizabeth and Calvin. The development of their connection and their relationship as a whole was a joy to read. I love them. I also loved 6:30 and the strangeness of his influence within this family and within the narration of the story. It was such a unique, yet fun part of the book. Lastly, I think that the depth of the characters and the themes of the story were very meaningful and made these beautifully written characters that much more enjoyable to read.
The main elements of the book that I adored was the soulmate relationship between Elizabeth and Calvin. The development of their connection and their relationship as a whole was a joy to read. I love them. I also loved 6:30 and the strangeness of his influence within this family and within the narration of the story. It was such a unique, yet fun part of the book. Lastly, I think that the depth of the characters and the themes of the story were very meaningful and made these beautifully written characters that much more enjoyable to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Sexual assault, and Sexism
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was fine, but I have mixed feelings about it. I didn't love it, but didn't hate it. I know this is a super well loved fantasy read for many. For me it felt especially trope filled and not very well developed. Typically I love fantasy stories that include any type of political intrigue or political strategizing, but the way it was written in this story did not feel as well developed or interesting to read.
Overall, I sadly felt kind of bored reading this. I will say that totally could have been that I was not in the right headspace for reading this.
Overall, I sadly felt kind of bored reading this. I will say that totally could have been that I was not in the right headspace for reading this.
Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
I enjoyed this a lot, but it doesn't really feel like a story that will sit with me. I don't want to say it was a letdown in comparison to the first installment, because I don't think it was, but I don't think it was as engaging as book 1. The memory loss trope in the story is typically something I hate in any story, but it wasn't poorly done in this book. It does entail one of my favorite niche tropes (when spouses are separated and have to make their way back to one another under dire circumstances ) so that made it a bit higher of a rating for me. The ending crushed me slightly, but ended on a hopeful note.
The writing continued to be beautiful throughout the book and I think the characters are so beautifully fleshed out in every way. The overall story and background of this world is so well developed. I really enjoyed this book.
The writing continued to be beautiful throughout the book and I think the characters are so beautifully fleshed out in every way. The overall story and background of this world is so well developed. I really enjoyed this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Death, and Violence
Mister Impossible by Maggie Stiefvater
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was fine, but honestly a bit of a let down in comparison to all of the rest of the Raven Cycle Series and book 1 of this series. I feel like the plot was super convoluted and by the end when there is this big reveal related to Ronan and Bryde, I was lost and confused. I continue to love the Lynch brothers, especially Matthew. I wish desperately that there was more Adam Parrish in this book and series so far as a whole.
I feel conflicted about whether to move forward with finishing the series because this particular installment felt really disappointing for me.
I feel conflicted about whether to move forward with finishing the series because this particular installment felt really disappointing for me.
Good Girl Complex by Elle Kennedy
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This was yet another romance book that felt so contrived and not well written. I think maybe if I read it at a different time I would feel differently but I didn't love either of our main characters and I felt like the whole book dragged on for way too long, only for it to end in the most anticlimactic way ever. I was not a fan.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity