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nerdyholler's reviews
73 reviews
The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle by Matt Cain
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
3.75
An overall uplifting story about a man finally letting himself be who he is later in life and working through the events in the past that led him to become the lonely, isolated person he is when the book begins. I'll be honest I almost set this aside around the 25% mark because so much was sad for Albert especially after Gracie dies. I thought it might happen but since she was on the cover I was really hoping it wouldn't. It was just a little too close to how I lost some of my elderly cats. I just wasn't sure I was in the headspace for that when I was wanting something uplifting. However I was glad I pushed on and things began to turn around shortly after.
This is a book I wanted to love and I would still recommend it but it didn't click with me as strongly as I'd hoped. I found myself glad as things turned around for Albert but I wasn't strongly emotionally invested for some reason.
This is a book I wanted to love and I would still recommend it but it didn't click with me as strongly as I'd hoped. I found myself glad as things turned around for Albert but I wasn't strongly emotionally invested for some reason.
Snowed In by Catherine Walsh
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.25
A sequel to Holiday Romance. Reading that first could be helpful for getting to know some of the family but isn't necessary. Once again, a light Hallmark movie style romance. Fake dating and runaway brides aren't my favorite tropes but I enjoyed them both here. Christian and Megan are both easily likeable characters although it does skirt the edges of frustrating lack of communication at times but that's a common enough occurrence for the genre. This has more spice than a Hallmark movie, and more spice than Holiday Romance, but it keeps things in the mild-medium range. A fun read and would re-read around Christmas.
Holiday Romance by Catherine Walsh
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
4.25
Do you like Hallmark Christmas movies? Would you like to read a book that could easily be made into one? Then this is book for you! I enjoyed the flashbacks to previous years traveling together and then everything that's going on currently as they try to get home. Grumpy/Sunshine and friends to lovers are some of my favorite tropes and are used well here. I like that Molly is the grumpy one but that she works hard to be the positive one when she can see Andrew is getting down about everything. There's one very mild spicy scene towards the end so there's more spice than a Hallmark movie but less than most romance books. Will probably re-read again near the holidays.
The Worst Ship in the Fleet by Skyler Ramirez
The intro to this book says it doesn't include cursing or graphic depictions of sex or violence to make it accessible to a wider audience. This may be true but there's mention of suicidal thoughts in the first few pages and most of one character's backstory consists of being the survivor of sexual assault and harassment. This is very poorly handled and presented. While there are no explicit details, it's frequently brought up and mentioned that it occurred. The survivor is never given a voice about what happened and it exists only as a plot point only to make the "hero" a better person and be protective of her.
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
This is not a good story. It may be short but don't waste your time on it. On the lighter side of problems, it's novel pacing but at a novella length. Characters have paper thin personalities, the redemption arc never quite gets there, and there's little to no plot. The book description makes it sound like light misfits in space and this just isn't the case. It's not funny. It's not light. The main character's personality traits are: drunk, misogynistic, and self loathing. I get that he isn't supposed to be likable so that he can get redeemed later but there's no depth other than that. You will only read about him getting drunk, oggling women, and feeling bad about his past. Over and over.
On the more serious side of problems, this is also a book where you should read the content warnings written by others. The author gives a light warning about the book containing serious topics in the intro then proceeds to make one a major plot point and handles the situation with little to no understanding. I'm so tired of women (and children though that's not the case here) only existing in stories so that bad things can happen to them and give the male characters a reason to be "heroes".
I'm giving one star because there was potential for the characters and premise in better hands.
On the more serious side of problems, this is also a book where you should read the content warnings written by others. The author gives a light warning about the book containing serious topics in the intro then proceeds to make one a major plot point and handles the situation with little to no understanding. I'm so tired of women (and children though that's not the case here) only existing in stories so that bad things can happen to them and give the male characters a reason to be "heroes".
I'm giving one star because there was potential for the characters and premise in better hands.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual harassment, Rape, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts
A Trace of Poison by Colleen Cambridge
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The Martian by Andy Weir
adventurous
funny
hopeful
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? No
4.75
Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
The Captain's Heiress by Amy Jarecki
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
3.25
Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I read this in anticipation of the next season of the series coming out having read the first three books shortly after season 1 of Bridgerton was released. I always find something to like about these books. In this case it was Penelope. I loved how she gained confidence and learned to be proud of who she is and her accomplishments. I couldn't help but cheer a little every time she spoke her mind. However, I've come to the conclusions that the way the men are written in these books just isn't for me. Colin's stand out characteristics are that he's always hungry, develops a temper, and is jealous of the accomplishments of the woman he loves. Sure he gets over it but I don't care for heroes who take out their lack of emotional maturity on the people around them and it's up to the woman to teach him how to feel after he's been horrible to her. In comparison to the previous books these situations come and go in waves and are resolved after a few pages but it just isn't a personality type I'm fond of. This will likely be the end of the book series for me unless the netflix series can give me a compelling reason to check out the rest of the books.
Difficult by Brianne Gillen
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? No
4.25
I bought this book and it sat in my TBR for way too long. Once I started reading, I was instantly kicking myself for having not read it earlier. There was so much I liked about this book! The 1940s old Hollywood setting was a nice change of pace from other romances and both leads were very likeable. I love how independent Lois was and her desire to try and maintain control over her career and story after being labeled as "difficult" years ago. Nick was great as someone who was in her corner but also didn't try to stifle her independence or become her knight in shining armor. The friendship and mutual respect as the basis of their relationship was so nice, even if there was a bit of love/lust at first sight. Fake marriage isn't my favorite trope but it absolutely works here as part of the Hollywood publicity machine where everyone but the general public is aware of what's going on.
This is a low spice work with just a couple of sex scenes. The focus is definitely more on the relationship than the sex with just a little heat sprinkled around.
This is a low spice work with just a couple of sex scenes. The focus is definitely more on the relationship than the sex with just a little heat sprinkled around.