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notesbynnenna's Reviews (513)
I've read seven romance books this month and this book is definitely one of my favorites of the bunch. Rhiannon is a badass, and a strong, independent woman. I loved her, along with Samson, who just seemed like such a nice and thoughtful person. I thought the romance was well done and I was rooting for the two of them the whole time. I enjoyed how this book touched on the struggles of being a woman, and being a minority, in the tech world. If you're looking for a fun, light read featuring diverse main characters, then I'd definitely recommend this one. I can't wait to read her next book, and I also hope that she writes a book about Lakshmi, Rhiannon's assistant, because I loved her as a character!
I wasn't sure about this one in the very beginning, but then it really ended up growing on me! Our main character, Chloe, has a near-death experience and decides she's tired of her boring life. So she makes a list of things she wants to do to "get a life," including moving out on her own and having meaningless, but enjoyable sex. When she meets Red, her handsome and charismatic new super, she decides he's the perfect person to help her check a few items off her list.
I really liked the representation in this book and how it featured a main character that deals with a chronic illness. Once I got into the story, there was a certain whimsy in the writing style that I really enjoyed. I liked the chemistry between Chloe and Red, and I loved Chloe's sisters- they seemed like such unique, fun characters. Overall, I thought this was a sweet and cute read.
3.5 stars
I really liked the representation in this book and how it featured a main character that deals with a chronic illness. Once I got into the story, there was a certain whimsy in the writing style that I really enjoyed. I liked the chemistry between Chloe and Red, and I loved Chloe's sisters- they seemed like such unique, fun characters. Overall, I thought this was a sweet and cute read.
3.5 stars
Ahhh, I don't know how to feel about this book because I definitely had problems with it, but at the same time, I wanted to keep reading until the end. I know these characters now, so there's a familiarity there that I enjoy, but I had issues with the relationship dynamics between Rosie and Dominic. This book was clearly setting up the relationship between Bethany and Wes that will be the subject of the next book in the series. I like Bethany as a character, so I'll probably read the next book, but I don't know that I would recommend this series to people.
Oh my gosh, I loved this one! I wasn't expecting this to have the nuance and emotional depth that it did, and I wasn't ready for the feels this book made me feel. This is a romance book with a lot of heart, and it tackles some difficult subjects, including infertility and grief.
Even though I haven't had the same experiences that Kristen has, I feel like Jimenez made her feel relatable so that we as readers could understand a little bit what it felt like to be in Kristen's shoes. And I loved Kristen's relationship with Josh, how they could be their true selves around each other and the little ways that they took care of each other. I was really invested in this story and Jimenez did a great job of creating these realistically tense moments when I had no idea whether or not the characters would end up together.
The short version of this review is that I loved these characters and I loved this story. If you're looking for a romance read that's a bit more grounded in reality, then I'd definitely recommend this gem. Now I need to find out if Jimenez has written any other books!
3.5 stars
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Edited: Ok, so above are my initial thoughts, but as I typically do after I write my own review, I went to Goodreads to see what other people thought of this book. And I saw a lot of people calling out the ending and how it negates much of what the book is about. I also saw that some people struggling with their own infertility issues found the ending offensive, and I think it's very important to hear that perspective. While it seems that the author had good intentions here, it's also clear that people found the ending problematic, so I wanted to call that out in my review.
Even though I haven't had the same experiences that Kristen has, I feel like Jimenez made her feel relatable so that we as readers could understand a little bit what it felt like to be in Kristen's shoes. And I loved Kristen's relationship with Josh, how they could be their true selves around each other and the little ways that they took care of each other. I was really invested in this story and Jimenez did a great job of creating these realistically tense moments when I had no idea whether or not the characters would end up together.
The short version of this review is that I loved these characters and I loved this story. If you're looking for a romance read that's a bit more grounded in reality, then I'd definitely recommend this gem. Now I need to find out if Jimenez has written any other books!
3.5 stars
//
Edited: Ok, so above are my initial thoughts, but as I typically do after I write my own review, I went to Goodreads to see what other people thought of this book. And I saw a lot of people calling out the ending and how it negates much of what the book is about. I also saw that some people struggling with their own infertility issues found the ending offensive, and I think it's very important to hear that perspective. While it seems that the author had good intentions here, it's also clear that people found the ending problematic, so I wanted to call that out in my review.
Last year I made a list of the top 10 classics I’d like to read or reread and Jane Eyre was on my list. I think I read it when I was much younger, so I remembered very little of the story. I see it as a coming-of-age novel about a young woman trying to find her place in the world. Jane is an orphan and she doesn’t have the happiest childhood. The story follows her as she grows up, goes to school, and eventually ventures out into the real world for a position as a governess.
I feel wary commenting on classics, but I’m really glad I reread this one. Jane is a wonderful character and I admire her spirit. She handles tough situations with grace. She has strong opinions and she’s not afraid to voice them. Also, she doesn’t let her lower economic status hold her back. She dreams of doing bigger and better things with her life.
Classics can sometimes be intimidating because of the language and size, but they are classic for a reason. This book is quite long, but once I adjusted to the writing style, I really enjoyed it. I even giggled out loud at a few bits. Jane is sassy! If you’ve been thinking about reading this book, I say go for it.
I feel wary commenting on classics, but I’m really glad I reread this one. Jane is a wonderful character and I admire her spirit. She handles tough situations with grace. She has strong opinions and she’s not afraid to voice them. Also, she doesn’t let her lower economic status hold her back. She dreams of doing bigger and better things with her life.
Classics can sometimes be intimidating because of the language and size, but they are classic for a reason. This book is quite long, but once I adjusted to the writing style, I really enjoyed it. I even giggled out loud at a few bits. Jane is sassy! If you’ve been thinking about reading this book, I say go for it.
3.5 stars
The fourth book in the Raven Cycle series continued the formula that I love the most: the gang working together on a singular quest. I really enjoyed reading this final book in the series and it made me remember the wonder and delight I felt when I read the first book.
I know I’ve mentioned this before in a review of one of the earlier books in the series, but I truly admire the author’s ability to establish a certain mood and ambience with her words. Her writing really lends itself to the otherworldly nature of the events that take place throughout the series. Since she created such a vivid environment that I’ve become very familiar with while reading the series, finishing this final book really felt like coming home again.
I was satisfied with the conclusion of the series. For me, it was surprising, but not shocking, and if I’d considered it more thoroughly, I feel like I would have realized what they would find on the hunt for Glendower. There were also some moments that had been building up for several books and I was really glad that they were finally explored here. I could certainly read more pages about this world and these characters, and I do feel like the author has left enough ambiguity to create a spinoff series (I believe she’s confirmed that she’s working on a trilogy from Ronan’s perspective).
The fourth book in the Raven Cycle series continued the formula that I love the most: the gang working together on a singular quest. I really enjoyed reading this final book in the series and it made me remember the wonder and delight I felt when I read the first book.
I know I’ve mentioned this before in a review of one of the earlier books in the series, but I truly admire the author’s ability to establish a certain mood and ambience with her words. Her writing really lends itself to the otherworldly nature of the events that take place throughout the series. Since she created such a vivid environment that I’ve become very familiar with while reading the series, finishing this final book really felt like coming home again.
I was satisfied with the conclusion of the series. For me, it was surprising, but not shocking, and if I’d considered it more thoroughly, I feel like I would have realized what they would find on the hunt for Glendower. There were also some moments that had been building up for several books and I was really glad that they were finally explored here. I could certainly read more pages about this world and these characters, and I do feel like the author has left enough ambiguity to create a spinoff series (I believe she’s confirmed that she’s working on a trilogy from Ronan’s perspective).
Thank you to Riverhead Books for the free copy!
I'm so happy to have finally read something by Jacqueline Woodson! I can see why everyone raves about her because I thought this book was beautifully written. It was so lyrical. It felt a little bit like slam poetry at times in that as I was reading the words, I could also hear them being spoken aloud.
In RED AT THE BONE, Woodson explores how an unexpected pregnancy affects a family. It's written from multiple perspectives and we only see snippets of these characters’ lives, but I got such a strong sense of who they are as people, and I'm still thinking about them. In particular, it left me wanting to know more about Iris and Melody, Iris's daughter, and how their relationship changed as Melody grew older.
Parenthood can mean so many different things. And in this book, we get an intimate view of what it's like to be a mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, and daughter in this family. I also loved that this was set in Brooklyn as Brooklyn is now my home too.
Overall, I thought the writing in this book was lovely and evocative, and it made my heart ache a little. I can't wait to read another one of her books.
I'm so happy to have finally read something by Jacqueline Woodson! I can see why everyone raves about her because I thought this book was beautifully written. It was so lyrical. It felt a little bit like slam poetry at times in that as I was reading the words, I could also hear them being spoken aloud.
In RED AT THE BONE, Woodson explores how an unexpected pregnancy affects a family. It's written from multiple perspectives and we only see snippets of these characters’ lives, but I got such a strong sense of who they are as people, and I'm still thinking about them. In particular, it left me wanting to know more about Iris and Melody, Iris's daughter, and how their relationship changed as Melody grew older.
Parenthood can mean so many different things. And in this book, we get an intimate view of what it's like to be a mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, and daughter in this family. I also loved that this was set in Brooklyn as Brooklyn is now my home too.
Overall, I thought the writing in this book was lovely and evocative, and it made my heart ache a little. I can't wait to read another one of her books.
I needed an escapist read in this time of coronavirus, and the genres that first sprung to mind were thriller and romance. So I picked up FOLLOW ME, a novel that tells the story of an influencer named Audrey, and the follower that becomes obsessed with her. It certainly made me think twice about how much of my personal information is on the internet.
Another thing that struck me was how often Audrey and other people in her life downplayed all the crazy things that happened to her. I think that women do that and/or that happens to women a lot. Sometimes we minimize situations because society has taught us to be accommodating and not to make a fuss. It just reminded me how scary it can be to be a woman.
This felt like a pretty relevant read for the modern age and it definitely took my mind off things for a few hours, so I'd give this a solid three stars.
Another thing that struck me was how often Audrey and other people in her life downplayed all the crazy things that happened to her. I think that women do that and/or that happens to women a lot. Sometimes we minimize situations because society has taught us to be accommodating and not to make a fuss. It just reminded me how scary it can be to be a woman.
This felt like a pretty relevant read for the modern age and it definitely took my mind off things for a few hours, so I'd give this a solid three stars.
I finally read one of the buzziest books of 2016 and I enjoyed it quite a bit. In fact, it wasn’t what I was expecting it to be, so I guess I did a decent job of avoiding spoilers!
The novel follows a black girl named Nadia, and begins soon after her mother’s suicide. As she grieves, Nadia searches for other relationships to fill the void her mother left, and starts seeing the pastor’s son, Luke. Nadia becomes pregnant with his child and has to make a decision that will have consequences throughout the rest of her life.
I thought the tone of this book was very well done. After her mother’s death, Nadia is changed forever, and there’s a sadness and sense of emptiness pervading the novel. Nadia meets another motherless girl, Aubrey, who is her opposite, but the two of them strike up an unlikely friendship. They are both constantly searching for something: for their mothers or the people they used to be, for happiness, for love.
There are lines in this book where Bennett really nails it. I applaud her ability to capture emotions and her development of characters who feel like real people. However, there’s a narrative device she used that I’m not sure I liked- the Mothers. The Mothers are a group of women in Nadia’s church and they also function as a chorus (similar to the chorus in Fates and Furies). Even though there are some great passages in these sections, I generally found The Mothers’ observations distracting. Though I see how The Mothers are connected to the rest of the characters and the story, I’m not certain that they were necessary.
This book was quieter than I expected it to be, and I really liked that. It’s about difficult decisions, life-changing events, and being disappointed by the people you love the most.
The novel follows a black girl named Nadia, and begins soon after her mother’s suicide. As she grieves, Nadia searches for other relationships to fill the void her mother left, and starts seeing the pastor’s son, Luke. Nadia becomes pregnant with his child and has to make a decision that will have consequences throughout the rest of her life.
I thought the tone of this book was very well done. After her mother’s death, Nadia is changed forever, and there’s a sadness and sense of emptiness pervading the novel. Nadia meets another motherless girl, Aubrey, who is her opposite, but the two of them strike up an unlikely friendship. They are both constantly searching for something: for their mothers or the people they used to be, for happiness, for love.
There are lines in this book where Bennett really nails it. I applaud her ability to capture emotions and her development of characters who feel like real people. However, there’s a narrative device she used that I’m not sure I liked- the Mothers. The Mothers are a group of women in Nadia’s church and they also function as a chorus (similar to the chorus in Fates and Furies). Even though there are some great passages in these sections, I generally found The Mothers’ observations distracting. Though I see how The Mothers are connected to the rest of the characters and the story, I’m not certain that they were necessary.
This book was quieter than I expected it to be, and I really liked that. It’s about difficult decisions, life-changing events, and being disappointed by the people you love the most.
I knew from the first page that I was going to love this book. I don't say this often, but I think this book is a must read for everyone.
The story follows twin girls growing up in a small Southern town named Mallard, where a community of light-skinned Black people have settled down. The twins yearn to escape and decide to run away together. Not too long after, they split up when one twin decides to leave everything behind and pass as a white woman.
The idea of "passing" is so fascinating to me. I can't imagine the strain it would have on someone who is passing long-term. I also can't imagine the difficulty of leaving everything behind and reinventing yourself completely, but luckily Brit Bennett has imagined it for us.
Bennett is a true storyteller and the writing in this book is brilliant. I was engrossed from start to finish as she skillfully wove this story through multiple decades and generations of this family. Honestly, I'm grateful that I got to go along on the journey and experience the richness of this book.
I like to look for characters that are fully realized, and for me, these characters jumped off the page. I could see their interactions playing out in my mind, crystal clear. I think Jude was my favorite character, as I related to her the most- her experience being dark and feeling that perhaps she is less than, because that's the message the world is giving her, even her own community in Mallard, who shun and tease and bully her.
My goodness, there are so many important themes discussed in this book. Let's start with race, with one twin deciding to pass as white, because she knows that as white woman, she'll have more freedom and opportunities. But to gain that freedom, she has to give up everything that she had before, and everyone who loved and truly knew her. Was it worth it?
It also discussed white privilege, along with colorism and growing up in a town of Black people who feed into the narrative that dark-skinned Black people are lazy, criminal, up to no good. Bennett also explores mother-daughter relationships and the relationship between the twin sisters. Their identities as young girls are entirely wrapped up in each other, so when one of them leaves, they are fragmented and each twin has to rebuild herself.
I feel like I could go on and on and on about this book, and specific scenes and quotes that struck me to the core. I thought that THE MOTHERS was an excellent book, but I feel that Bennett has surpassed herself here. I know I will be thinking about these characters and this story for a long time. The TL;DR version of my review: this. book. is. amazing. Read it now!
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Wow wow wow wow, what a book. I loved it! This is a must read. Full review to come when I’m able to gather my thoughts.
The story follows twin girls growing up in a small Southern town named Mallard, where a community of light-skinned Black people have settled down. The twins yearn to escape and decide to run away together. Not too long after, they split up when one twin decides to leave everything behind and pass as a white woman.
The idea of "passing" is so fascinating to me. I can't imagine the strain it would have on someone who is passing long-term. I also can't imagine the difficulty of leaving everything behind and reinventing yourself completely, but luckily Brit Bennett has imagined it for us.
Bennett is a true storyteller and the writing in this book is brilliant. I was engrossed from start to finish as she skillfully wove this story through multiple decades and generations of this family. Honestly, I'm grateful that I got to go along on the journey and experience the richness of this book.
I like to look for characters that are fully realized, and for me, these characters jumped off the page. I could see their interactions playing out in my mind, crystal clear. I think Jude was my favorite character, as I related to her the most- her experience being dark and feeling that perhaps she is less than, because that's the message the world is giving her, even her own community in Mallard, who shun and tease and bully her.
My goodness, there are so many important themes discussed in this book. Let's start with race, with one twin deciding to pass as white, because she knows that as white woman, she'll have more freedom and opportunities. But to gain that freedom, she has to give up everything that she had before, and everyone who loved and truly knew her. Was it worth it?
It also discussed white privilege, along with colorism and growing up in a town of Black people who feed into the narrative that dark-skinned Black people are lazy, criminal, up to no good. Bennett also explores mother-daughter relationships and the relationship between the twin sisters. Their identities as young girls are entirely wrapped up in each other, so when one of them leaves, they are fragmented and each twin has to rebuild herself.
I feel like I could go on and on and on about this book, and specific scenes and quotes that struck me to the core. I thought that THE MOTHERS was an excellent book, but I feel that Bennett has surpassed herself here. I know I will be thinking about these characters and this story for a long time. The TL;DR version of my review: this. book. is. amazing. Read it now!
//
Wow wow wow wow, what a book. I loved it! This is a must read. Full review to come when I’m able to gather my thoughts.