msmichaela's Reviews (545)


Initially slow, then picking up steam as the plot unfolds.
Didn’t love the resolution at the end, which seemed far better than Isabel deserved.
This rewards close reading. 

I loved the characterizations here, as well as many of Jimenez’ turns of phrase — especially Emma “getting small,” which felt like a real phrase someone and their friends would say. Was the island cottage necessary? Not really, but who cares!

Taut, impeccably paced character study. I read it in a single afternoon sitting next to a river — just perfection. 

Funny, generous and warm. 

I loved revisiting these characters! The side plots were delightful — love a dog-driven adventure — as was the setting. The “Will he/ won’t he” bit was drawn out too long for my tastes, but I still found myself giggling over the banter. 

I found this really slow to get going, but once it got there I was locked in. Honestly would have been ok with a smidge more basketball talk?? 

Really fascinating. St James does really interesting things with POV. 

Fast read but I didn’t love the main character — she seemed overly naive for someone who had worked for a PI. Still, a perfect novel to read in one summer day. 

Engrossing. But I found the narrator’s voice to be really intrusive and wasn’t a fan of the ending. I can see why this novel resonates with teenagers! 

I loved the intertwined tales of Hajra and Sita, whose lives take them far from their homelands. Choudhry-whom I know—plots the stories carefully, but they never feel over-engineered. The novel is beautifully written, too. Such a delight to read, despite the hard topics it tackles.