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moodreadingwithmaddy's reviews
107 reviews
Death Comes to Marlow by Robert Thorogood
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I knew it!! I don’t know how I knew it… but I knew it!
Re-signed up for audible so I could pre order the audiobook for the third book that will be published on June 4th!
If you are looking for a cozy murder mystery series, TRY THIS ONE! It is so charming and I have very much enjoyed the first two.
Re-signed up for audible so I could pre order the audiobook for the third book that will be published on June 4th!
If you are looking for a cozy murder mystery series, TRY THIS ONE! It is so charming and I have very much enjoyed the first two.
The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
Marlow is a charming British town with ~ mostly ~peaceful people. 77 year old Judith Potts is content with her mansion and crossword puzzles, until she hears her neighbor being gunned down in his backyard.
Judith solicits the help of her new friends- the vicker’s wife, Becks, and the local dog walker, Suzy.
While they seem to be a doomed trio from the started they may be Marlow’s only hope to stop a serial killer that seems to have a misguided call for justice. Except for the fact that it looks like they may have a few secrets of their own that they would like to keep hidden…
Fun! Fun! Fun! I love when I find a new murder mystery series! Immediately started book 2! 🕵🏻♀️
As always, I recommend the audiobook! The narrator’s British accent really livens up the story and adds to the entertainment!
Judith solicits the help of her new friends- the vicker’s wife, Becks, and the local dog walker, Suzy.
While they seem to be a doomed trio from the started they may be Marlow’s only hope to stop a serial killer that seems to have a misguided call for justice. Except for the fact that it looks like they may have a few secrets of their own that they would like to keep hidden…
Fun! Fun! Fun! I love when I find a new murder mystery series! Immediately started book 2! 🕵🏻♀️
As always, I recommend the audiobook! The narrator’s British accent really livens up the story and adds to the entertainment!
Shipped by Angie Hockman
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is the book I’m going to use as the baseline for my category of ~vanilla romance books~
🍦Vanilla Romance Books🍦
- are 3 stars
- have a few ick moments but not too many that I have second hand embarrassment
- have a sweet romance but nothing that made me swoon
- have a satisfyingly happy ending
- are nothing to write home about
🍦Vanilla Romance Books🍦
- are 3 stars
- have a few ick moments but not too many that I have second hand embarrassment
- have a sweet romance but nothing that made me swoon
- have a satisfyingly happy ending
- are nothing to write home about
Content Warnings
Minor: Physical abuse
Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
“Every book is a little mirror, and sometimes you look into it and see someone else looking back.”
I rounded this 4.5 star up to 5 as the tightness in my throat turned to tears. I can’t remember the last time a book made me cry. In that moment, I realized that was what I was longing for.
I love these books! Bookshops and Bonedust is a prequel to Legends and Lattes and at first, I wished that Baldree wrote these in opposite order. But as I read on, I decided that this order is perfect, and I cannot wait until he writes the others so I can be back in this sleepy, cozy fantasy world.
I highly recommend the audiobook, as it is read by the author Travis Baldree himself. He is a mastermind with his character voices and is the creator himself, so if you are able— definitely check out the audio.
Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
Finished this with my 5th graders today! They loved it! Don’t forget the author’s note at the end. I can’t wait to see all the fun projects that come out of this read! If you teach young adolescents, I highly recommend this one!
Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
Finished this with my 5th graders today! They loved it! Don’t forget the author’s note at the end. I can’t wait to see all the fun projects that come out of this read! If you teach young adolescents, I highly recommend this one!
Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun by Elle Cosimano
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
The setting of this one was the least captivating but I still did not want to put it down once! These books are my crack cocaine and I am so happy that there are 4 more!
Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead by Elle Cosimano
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
A read-in-one-day kind of story.
I started the audio this morning and simply could not hit pause until I finished it. There was never a dull moment. I honestly forgot I was reading.
It’s getting 4 stars instead of 5 from me just because my heart didn’t race with anticipation as much as the first one. But I still loved it and will always recommend these Finley Donovan books
I started the audio this morning and simply could not hit pause until I finished it. There was never a dull moment. I honestly forgot I was reading.
It’s getting 4 stars instead of 5 from me just because my heart didn’t race with anticipation as much as the first one. But I still loved it and will always recommend these Finley Donovan books
Namesake by Adrienne Young
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
If you read my review of Fable, you will see that I copied and pasted my review from that book to this book because I am reviewing them as if they are the same book because I think they should be. Thank you, you may continue reading or stop if you already read my review of Fable that I posted 2 minutes ago.
If I am remembering that I am reading this through the lens of a YA novel, then I would say that this is really good and I would recommend it for all of your YA's in your life. It's got action, romance, a fast paced plot, and a touch of magic.
If I am reading this through the lens of my current self who is an adult, I think it would have been great if these two novels were combined into one long one. I dont know why I can't get over the fact that this book ends on such a dramatic/stark plot twist. It made it more elementary to me... which is okay! Because it is written for a younger audience! But still! If I'm writing this review based on my preferences when I am reading (I am by the way. I always am. So you never have to worry about that faithful readers), I didn't like it and I think I would have given the one giant book made up of both books, 4 stars.
If I am remembering that I am reading this through the lens of a YA novel, then I would say that this is really good and I would recommend it for all of your YA's in your life. It's got action, romance, a fast paced plot, and a touch of magic.
If I am reading this through the lens of my current self who is an adult, I think it would have been great if these two novels were combined into one long one. I dont know why I can't get over the fact that this book ends on such a dramatic/stark plot twist. It made it more elementary to me... which is okay! Because it is written for a younger audience! But still! If I'm writing this review based on my preferences when I am reading (I am by the way. I always am. So you never have to worry about that faithful readers), I didn't like it and I think I would have given the one giant book made up of both books, 4 stars.
Fable by Adrienne Young
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I waited to review this one until I finished the sequel, Namesake, because I have almost the exact same feelings about both of them. So I will copy and paste my review from here, to there.
If I am remembering that I am reading this through the lens of a YA novel, then I would say that this is really good and I would recommend it for all of your YA's in your life. It's got action, romance, a fast paced plot, and a touch of magic.
If I am reading this through the lens of my current self who is an adult, I think it would have been great if these two novels were combined into one long one. I dont know why I can't get over the fact that this book ends on such a dramatic/stark plot twist. It made it more elementary to me... which is okay! Because it is written for a younger audience! But still! If I'm writing this review based on my preferences when I am reading (I am by the way. I always am. So you never have to worry about that faithful readers), I didn't like it and I think I would have given the one giant book made up of both books, 4 stars.
If I am remembering that I am reading this through the lens of a YA novel, then I would say that this is really good and I would recommend it for all of your YA's in your life. It's got action, romance, a fast paced plot, and a touch of magic.
If I am reading this through the lens of my current self who is an adult, I think it would have been great if these two novels were combined into one long one. I dont know why I can't get over the fact that this book ends on such a dramatic/stark plot twist. It made it more elementary to me... which is okay! Because it is written for a younger audience! But still! If I'm writing this review based on my preferences when I am reading (I am by the way. I always am. So you never have to worry about that faithful readers), I didn't like it and I think I would have given the one giant book made up of both books, 4 stars.