mkjacobswrites's reviews
560 reviews

You Between the Lines by Katie Naymon

4.0

This was a beautifully written romance about a girl getting with her high school crush in an MFA program in college, where they're both poets and they have to find a way to be vulnerable and honest about their pasts and presents. Some sections were very compelling; others felt preachy or repetitive. I wanted more Anne-and-Gilbert from the rivalry than what we got, especially since neither of them actually accepts the competition fully in the end. Still, I enjoyed the read and there were times it made me powerfully nostalgic for the good old college days.

Married to the Marquess by Rebecca Connolly

4.25

I thought it was interesting to follow a Regency couple that was already married as they grew in love, since so many couples in the era really did marry before they were in love. A few minor notes: I found the dialogue somewhat modernized to feel fully realistic for the era, I wished Katherine had even one friend of her own, rather than needing her husband to provide them, and also I wished that she and Derek would be a little more realistic and just talk to each other as opposed to chiefly getting information about the other's state of mind/heart from the observations of other characters. Still, this was a really enjoyable read with a good message.

Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor

4.5

This book is hard to rate! The fantasy world is still so lush and so unique, but the character development stalled a little here compared to the first book in the duology, and we sometimes got info dumps rather than actually experiencing the magic or history in more "real" time. It took me longer to get through this than expected. I definitely recommend the duology, though I prefer the first, and the ending is satisfying. The sister bond in this book was drawn very compellingly. 

Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood

3.75

This was a cozy fantasy about a thirty-year-old witch who finds out she is worth love (and magic). It was an easy read and fun overall; really, there was a lot of potential - some elements of the magic and world were really interesting, like how people basically get to customize their experience. However, the main character supposedly loves reading and works in a bookstore, yet, for some reason, won't read her book that explains everything about magic - I find it SO hard to believe that not once in fifteen years does she read something that's clearly right there for her to find. Also, even more frustratingly, she is stuck under a boss she hates with an easy out - since the owner wants her to buy the shop and keeps offering it to her on a silver platter - and she just repeatedly refuses because she might mess it up and doesn't believe in herself, even though, directly in the text, other characters clearly recognize this as an insufficient reason, and call her out on it, and still...there's no other explanation until she magically trusts herself enough to take the owner up on the offer? This made-up roadblock was so unsatisfying.

Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

5.0

This account of a man who voluntarily entered a scientific experiment was both thought-provoking and heartbreaking: a beautiful exploration of what it means to be human and to treat others with dignity.

The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict

3.75

This was an interesting concept - mystery writers trying to solve a real-life murder - but I wanted more character development and growth on the page. I wished the women were a little less obvious and the men were a little more well-rounded. Overall, an easy read that was a fun afternoon.

The Editor: How Publishing Legend Judith Jones Shaped Culture in America by Sara B. Franklin

4.0

Judith Jones is a fascinating figure, and it's cool that Franklin had a personal relationship with her. However, this account sometimes felt unfocused to me, giving too much historical context about the time period or politics rather than the actual circumstances of Jones' life. I wanted way more details about her life besides that she cooked and worked. Plus, how did her work look besides letters to authors? A copyeditor was mentioned once - I would've loved to hear more about that.

The Inadequate Heir by Danielle L. Jensen

4.0

This is a political romantasy that works pretty well. It was cool to see another couple's perspective on the same events of the first two books, but it also meant we already knew most, if not all, of the big reveals and outcomes, which made the stakes feel less compelling. I liked Kerris and Zarrah together overall, but a lot of their early interaction felt unrealistic.

Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young

4.0

This is definitely a talented author telling an enjoyable story, and this was a fun read. However, I felt like the lack of conflict went beyond the ordinary unrealistic nature of a contemporary romance. It sometimes felt like wish-fulfillment. Everyone is perfectly understanding, throwing money at the heroine for getting pregnant, etc. 

The American Roommate Experiment by Elena Armas

4.0

This was a fun follow-up to the first. Plenty of plot conveniences, but a sweet love story that also had subplots about honesty with friends and family. I would've liked a little more depth to the father and brother, though.