paging_escapism's reviews
28 reviews

Under One Roof by Ali Hazelwood

funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.5

The Crescent Moon Tearoom by Stacy Sivinski

hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing slow-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

3.5

The Crescent Moon Tearoom was the coziest of cozy fantasies. I feel like it took me longer to get through than I expected because I found myself wanting to be in a very specific mood to absorb the comfort of it, but everytime I picked it up, it was a comfy delight. Each of the sister’s stories was fully developed and had a great resolution. (Though I found myself partial to Violet’s story line.) I also enjoyed each of the side characters we got to learn more about. It really was just a very solidly happy read. 

Sunlight by Devney Perry

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

4.0

A Little Too Familiar by Lish McBride

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted 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? Yes

4.5

Reckless by Lauren Roberts

adventurous medium-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

3.5

Powerful by Lauren Roberts

adventurous emotional 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? Yes

4.0

Powerless by Lauren Roberts

adventurous emotional 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? Yes

4.5

Gallant by V.E. Schwab

dark emotional mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

Perfection. RTC but wow. Just wow. 

The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

3.5

The Familiar was a good book that I kept waiting for to get better. I found myself constantly thinking, okay, here it is, here’s the moment where I get swept away… only… I never did. It was lush and lyrical but also a little unwieldy. It had so many things that were so close to being exactly what I wanted but then, just, weren’t. I enjoyed the book overall, but I just feel like it could have been more. 

A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson

dark emotional medium-paced

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

3.75

I loved the narrative style and the flow. It was a great October read to lose yourself in for a day. The end felt a little meh for me for some reason… just a little lackluster maybe? But overall it was a super cool traditional vampire story.