mlsweeten's reviews
229 reviews

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

adventurous funny lighthearted 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

Humorous friends to lovers romance. The chemistry between Alex and Poppy was fabulous, and Poppy seemed like she would be such a fun travel buddy. 

The Great Divide by Cristina Henríquez

adventurous emotional inspiring medium-paced

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

4.0

This takes place in the very early 1900s during the building of the Panama Canal. It is based on how the building of the canal affected a group of fictional characters. It was slow at first but I came to love the characters and really care about what they were going through. Some of the characters came from neighboring islands. They came looking for work because they were desperate for money. Then there were the citizens of Panama who were against the canal. Their land was being destroyed and they felt USA was taking over their country. The canal caused a great divide not only in the land but in the lives of the people who lived there. I do enjoy historical fiction, and I’ve never read a book about this piece of history. 

The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

A funny book about ladylike pirates in flying houses protecting each other when they aren’t stealing from each other. Really enjoyed this one and found myself laughing at moments. 

The Art of the English Murder by Lucy Worsley

dark informative slow-paced

4.0

While nonfiction tends to be a bit dry and tedious, I found this one interesting enough to keep reading throughout the day. Part true crime, but the crimes are far enough removed from modern times that they didn’t bother me. This is really a lot more about the evolution of true crime to penny bloods then detective novels and eventually cozy mysteries. 

Fragile Things by Neil Gaiman

dark medium-paced

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

3.5

A collection of bizarre, creative, and creepy short stories with a few poems thrown in.  One story in particular was very disturbing to me. There were a few that left me wondering what I just read. While these types of stories aren’t really my thing, they were interesting and entertaining. 

The Joy and Light Bus Company by Alexander McCall Smith

adventurous funny lighthearted 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? No

3.75

I do enjoy this author’s style of writing. It’s simple, but solid storytelling with no gimmicks. This series stands out with its endearing and engaging characters.  I’m not entirely convinced the ladies are very skilled detectives, but they make for some fun books. 

Of Things Gone Astray by Janina Matthewson

reflective medium-paced

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

3.5

This is an unusual little book with very short chapters, each focused on a different character. There are several recurring characters whose lives eventually become intertwined. They each lose something important and must figure out what changes they need to make. For example, a recluse wakes up to find the front wall of her house missing, putting her on display. A workaholic finds his place of employment has vanished forcing him to spend more time at home. It took me a minute to figure out the point of this but then I became interested in how they would resolve their problems. 

The Red Lotus by Chris Bohjalian

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

3.5

This was well researched and the author is a great writer. I didn’t love this as much as some of his other books as I didn’t feel too much of a connection to the characters. It lacked something emotionally. 

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-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

Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney

dark mysterious fast-paced

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

3.5

Amber while she was in a coma:“I’m a little confused and a lot lost.” That’s how I felt most of the time while reading this. The author did a good job of making the reader doubtful of what was really happening.