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muddymind's reviews
101 reviews
Fireworks Every Night by Beth Raymer
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I think this book aged for about 10 years but it was so heartbreakingly beautiful, I don’t even mind. If you come from a dysfunctional home or you had to raise yourself read this book! It gave me hope that despite all the cruelty life throws at us, it could all work out in the end <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Alcohol
I Could Live Here Forever by Hanna Halperin
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I found this reads more like a memoir, (akin to Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton, especially.) and not a work of fiction. I’m not sure how autobiographical this story is but the structure seems awkward for a novel. If it was a memoir looking back at the authors life, I would be more inclined to ignore this books faults but there’s a lot that didn’t work for me. Firstly, the writing was elementary and lazy at times. Secondly, I had no real sense of who Leah was because any attempt at fleshing her out was too direct. Also the love story seemed impersonal, like it was told from a distance even when we as readers were in the middle of supposed heartwarming, love building moments.
Most importantly, Charlie was reduced to simply & solely an addict. There were no attempts to give any context to his character or his fight for sobriety. The language around his addiction is outdated for a book that came out so recently- referring to him as an addict instead of a person with an addiction. Leah blamed all her unhappiness on Charlie & his illness but never really took accountability for her flaws or how she aided in her own suffering. I’ve read my fair share of chaotic, depressed female characters but Leah did not have the same honesty or self awareness to make the story work. I don’t need a perfect ending, for the characters to make some huge life altering change in the way of self betterment but girl come on… go to therapy !!
if this is based on real life, rip Charlie. Hope you’re not hurting anymore
Most importantly, Charlie was reduced to simply & solely an addict. There were no attempts to give any context to his character or his fight for sobriety. The language around his addiction is outdated for a book that came out so recently- referring to him as an addict instead of a person with an addiction. Leah blamed all her unhappiness on Charlie & his illness but never really took accountability for her flaws or how she aided in her own suffering. I’ve read my fair share of chaotic, depressed female characters but Leah did not have the same honesty or self awareness to make the story work. I don’t need a perfect ending, for the characters to make some huge life altering change in the way of self betterment but girl come on… go to therapy !!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Toxic relationship
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Grief, Gaslighting, Abandonment
Your Driver Is Waiting by Priya Guns
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
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
I have never in my life read such a tender book. I laughed, I cried, I gasped in horror, I cringed, I cussed out the characters (well, really only one of them…) but most importantly I grew to love Damani because of all her complexities. Priya Guns is a voice all of her own. I’m so excited to see where she goes & what she writes in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Racism, Violence, Islamophobia, Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content, Stalking
Blue Hawaiian by Carla Luna
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Read If: you want a summer romp, you prefer more wholesome romances, you enjoy surface level family drama, you want Latinx representation, want a low sakes romance
Don’t Read If: you need your main characters to seriously progress throughout the story, hate pop culture references, want a steamy romance, don’t like repetitive plot points, need the couple to have intense chemistry.
Overall, there were some funny moments & I appreciated that there was more to this story than just the romance. Familial relationships & conflicts are big themes & helped flesh out the main characters. But I would have liked some more drama! & the male love interest is not nearly nice enough for my taste.
Don’t Read If: you need your main characters to seriously progress throughout the story, hate pop culture references, want a steamy romance, don’t like repetitive plot points, need the couple to have intense chemistry.
Overall, there were some funny moments & I appreciated that there was more to this story than just the romance. Familial relationships & conflicts are big themes & helped flesh out the main characters. But I would have liked some more drama! & the male love interest is not nearly nice enough for my taste.
Summer Rental by Rektok Ross
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Read If: you want a fun summer slasher with a diverse group of characters, you like YA, you like your murder mysteries to have a hint of romance, you want a quick read.
Don’t Read If:you mind if almost all aforementioned characters of color die , you don’t like perfectly tied up endings, if you don’t like the way teenagers talk, sensitive to LGBTIA+ issues, sensitive to bully, sensitive to gore.
Don’t Read If:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Gore, Suicide, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Homophobia, Outing
You're Invited by Amanda Jayatissa
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Read if: you want a whodunit with multiple povs, interested in Sri Lankan culture/representation, like unreliable/unlikable main characters, want a lighter mystery that doesn’t go too deep into some heavier themes, want to explore the complexities of female friendship.
Don’t Read If: you want a fast paced story(this is more of a slow burn), you easily get confused with a large cast of characters, if you’re sensitive to self harm, if you find most mysteries predictable.
Don’t Read If: you want a fast paced story(this is more of a slow burn), you easily get confused with a large cast of characters, if you’re sensitive to self harm, if you find most mysteries predictable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Pregnancy
Mr. Taboo Daddy by Aria R. Blue
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
0.25
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Everything I Know About Love: A Memoir by Dolly Alderton
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
All I Wanted Was Sushi But I Got Abducted By Aliens Instead by Petra Palerno
Did not finish book. Stopped at 57%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 57%.
The first half was cute, spicy & really well written but something weird happened around chapter 6- the plot became to seem forced & the quality of the writing nosedived. It’s like someone else attempted to finish the book. I tried to see it through but it started to get way too cringey.
Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas
slow-paced
1.5
Snooze fest.. there were promising moments but most of it was unnecessary and overwritten, the spicy parts don’t make up for it either. The whole ‘birthday girl’ thing was forced and didn’t add anything to the story, it was just the authors lame attempt to make Jordan quirky…