moonbloomandgrow's reviews
191 reviews

I Love You, I Love You, I Love You by Laura Dockrill

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Oh how this book made my heart happy and sad and laugh and cry and feel all the things. A really witty quick smart lead and a hopeless bloke who can’t get his act together 😂 l love love loved the combo of them both and was willing them to make it happen at sooo many points. I felt fully involved throughout their story and the ending was just perfect. Thank you Laura HQ for access to the eARC, I thoroughly enjoyed it! 💜✨

A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston

funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

I was so excited to read this book and rightly so. I could not put it down! I thoroughly thoroughly enjoyed this and even my husband knew it was going to be a 5 star read before I finished it just from my reactions and the way I spoke about the story as I went along. I hadn’t read any of Ashley’s books prior to this (even though I have The Dead Romantics and The Seven Year Slip both sat on my tbr shelf, oops) but definitely will be devouring them next. This book had everything for me and more and the twists and turns and ‘a-ha!’ moments just made me want to keep going but also stop because I didn’t want to finish it! I am so so grateful for the opportunity to read this early, thank you so much Ashley, HQ Stories and NetGalley for access to the eARC! 💜✨

The False Flat by Melissa Collings

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

Well this book well and truly captured, healed and broke me. It took me on SUCH a journey that I couldn’t not give it 5 stars. The characters, the story, the growth, the way grief is handled, the laughter, the tears, the throw-my-kindle-across-the-room-in-frustration moments. I don’t think I’ve ever ‘hightlighted’ as many lines as I have with this book and looking over them now I’m so full of emotions. I feel so grateful to have been able to read this in advance of its release and absolutely urge you to pick it up as soon as you can (just be prepared with plenty of tissues!) ❤️‍🩹😭💔 Thank you Melissa and Montlake Publishers for allowing me to read this as an eARC in exchange for my honest review ✨

The Sprite and the Gardener by Joe Whitt, Rii Abrego

hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

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

5.0

Such a gorgeous book and heartwarming cosy story. Absolutely loved it!

We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman

challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad tense 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? No

5.0

This book well and truly destroyed me. I can’t get my head around how something so small can have such a huge heavy impact. It felt that the story and swell of grief poured out the pages and although it is a shorter read than I’d usually read it packed a much bigger punch. It was so heartbreaking and so brilliant and I can’t believe I hadn’t got around to reading it till now. It’s definitely one that’s going to sit with me for a long while and I just know I will be thinking of it constantly. What a mega read. Just wow. If you’re late to the party like me and haven’t picked this up yet, I urge you to grab it as soon as you can and be prepared to have your heart broken 💔 

Funny Story by Emily Henry

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-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? It's complicated

4.0

I was so glad when my library loan finally came in for this and it did not disappoint! With every Emily Henry book, I go into them knowing I’ll more than likely enjoy them but this was by far my favourite since reading Book Lovers. It had everything I wanted and needed and I fell completely in love with all the characters (maybe not quite Starfire but I could see myself warming to her towards the end tbh) and just felt like a warm healing hug. The themes and relationships really developed well throughout the book and there were moments I was completely off guard with the emotions it brought about. Definitely recommend to anyone seeking a heartwarming summer read ☀️📚

Sandwich by Catherine Newman

challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective sad 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

4.0

After reading We All Want Impossible Things recently I had to jump straight into Sandwich as soon as possible. The way Catherine writes feels so raw and real and natural that you can’t help but be sucked into whatever is happening in the story. I absolutely loved the family unit and how the whole story was told over the course of just one week but you learnt so much and felt so much for the characters that by the end you felt that you were right there with them and proud of their developments and achievements. There were so many moments I was taken aback and I loved that Rocky didn’t shy away from being real about the changes her body and mind go through throughout the book. Just such a brilliant read and I’m so grateful to have been able to read an eARC thanks to Double Day Books and NetGalley 😭✨

Happy Medium by Sarah Adler

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing medium-paced

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

4.0

I thoroughly enjoyed this read from start to finish and it was exactly the vibe I was hoping it would be. It had the perfect mix of character development, plot twisting, enemies to lovers (my faaaave), escape to the country vibes and of course what’s not to love about baby goats in knitted jumpers?! 🐐 While I really liked Gretchen and Charlie, I absolutely adored Everett and felt they were just perfect mix together. I would definitely recommend this if you enjoy a bit of magical realism in your romance with a dose of comedy but also moments of heartbreaking reveals and emotional growth 💕 ✨ Thank you Sarah Adler and Quercus Books for sending me an eARC copy to read and review through NetGalley ✨

Plot Twist by Breea Keenan

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I can’t tell you how excited I was when THE plot twist turned out to be what I hoped it would be 🤭 I really enjoyed this read and thought it was the perfect mix of small town vibes, romance, found family and drama (!) after the initial big plot twist the story wove up and down and had me hooked till the end. The ending was so so lovely and I couldn’t stop smiling while reading and throughout the book I felt so much warmth and support for the characters and their little stories along the way. I really enjoyed the inclusion of LGBTQ+ representation and how the main character Becca was just so accepting and supportive of everyone regardless of who they were. I think the forgiveness and compassion she showed is definitely something we could all take on board in everyday life 🤲🏻 ✨ Thank you Breea, Headline Publishing Group and NetGalley for allowing me to read this as an eARC ✨

The Waves Take You Home by María Alejandra Barrios Vélez

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

5.0

This book tore my heart to pieces and then slowly pieced it back together again chapter by chapter. I absolutely loved María’s style of writing and character development and the language and food descriptions were absolutely gorgeous. I was so taken aback by this book and the relationships Vi has with her family and their rich cultural heritage I just fell in love with them all (even their not so good sides). This is a read I will always treasure and think will always be with me now 💜 ✨ Thank you so much María, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for allowing me to read this as an eARC ✨ #loveoverfear