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paigesonpages's reviews
262 reviews
The Phoenix Bride by Natasha Siegel
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
In Natasha Siegel's "The Phoenix Bride," readers are transported to the gritty streets of 17th-century London, a city still reeling from the devastation of the plague. Amidst the chaos, we meet Cecilia Thorowgood, a young widow trapped in her sister's suffocating mansion, her grief a palpable force. Enter David Mendes, a Jewish physician with a past as turbulent as the times he lives in. Their forbidden love story unfolds against the backdrop of impending disaster, with the Great Fire of London looming on the horizon.
While the plot occasionally feels stagnant, Siegel's meticulous attention to historical detail and her portrayal of characters grappling with prejudice and personal demons make for a compelling read. What sets "The Phoenix Bride" apart is its representation; Siegel deftly explores themes of identity and love, offering a refreshing perspective with Jewish and bisexual representation.
This book is great for anyone craving a slice of history intertwined with a heartfelt romance.
While the plot occasionally feels stagnant, Siegel's meticulous attention to historical detail and her portrayal of characters grappling with prejudice and personal demons make for a compelling read. What sets "The Phoenix Bride" apart is its representation; Siegel deftly explores themes of identity and love, offering a refreshing perspective with Jewish and bisexual representation.
This book is great for anyone craving a slice of history intertwined with a heartfelt romance.
Not Your Average Jo by Grace K. Shim
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
“Not Your Average Jo” by Grace K. Shim follows Riley Jo, a determined Korean American teenager with dreams of becoming a musician. When she enrolls in a prestigious arts boarding school in Los Angeles, she joins a band with hopes of making it big.
However, Riley Jo faces discrimination from her bandmates who believe she is “too Asian” to be the lead singer, sidelining her in favor of her classmate Bodhi. Despite the setbacks, Riley refuses to give up on her indie rock aspirations and decides to take matters into her own hands by writing an original song.
As tensions rise and truths are revealed through a documentary made by another student, Riley Jo must navigate the challenges of the music industry and find the courage to step into the spotlight on her own terms at the spring concert.
Through the eyes of Riley, we witness the challenges she faces as a Korean American teenager navigating the music industry and high school life. As she strums her way through the challenges of microaggressions, racial bias, and nepotism, readers will be rooting for her to take center stage and rock out with her authentic self.
Shim’s narrative is both relatable and thought-provoking, offering readers a glimpse into the complexities of adolescence and the importance of staying true to oneself. While the Gen Z lingo was a bit too much at the beginning, it did seem to die down as the story continued.
With its relatable characters and toe-tapping plot, “Not Your Average Jo” is a captivating read that will resonate with young teens seeking a meaningful and inspiring story!
Thank you to Kohima Books for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
However, Riley Jo faces discrimination from her bandmates who believe she is “too Asian” to be the lead singer, sidelining her in favor of her classmate Bodhi. Despite the setbacks, Riley refuses to give up on her indie rock aspirations and decides to take matters into her own hands by writing an original song.
As tensions rise and truths are revealed through a documentary made by another student, Riley Jo must navigate the challenges of the music industry and find the courage to step into the spotlight on her own terms at the spring concert.
Through the eyes of Riley, we witness the challenges she faces as a Korean American teenager navigating the music industry and high school life. As she strums her way through the challenges of microaggressions, racial bias, and nepotism, readers will be rooting for her to take center stage and rock out with her authentic self.
Shim’s narrative is both relatable and thought-provoking, offering readers a glimpse into the complexities of adolescence and the importance of staying true to oneself. While the Gen Z lingo was a bit too much at the beginning, it did seem to die down as the story continued.
With its relatable characters and toe-tapping plot, “Not Your Average Jo” is a captivating read that will resonate with young teens seeking a meaningful and inspiring story!
Thank you to Kohima Books for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
These Bodies Between Us by Sarah Van Name
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Sarah Van Name’s ‘These Bodies Between Us’ is a spellbinding journey into the heart of friendship and the allure of the unknown. From the first chapter, I was captivated by the bond between Callie, Talia, Cleo, and Polly, feeling like I was right there with them as they navigated the sun-soaked beaches of their North Carolina town. The concept of learning to become invisible added an irresistible layer of magic to the story, sparking my imagination and leaving me wondering what I would do with such power.
While the concept of invisibility adds an intriguing twist, it is the emotional depth of the characters that truly shines in this novel. Van Name’s writing is like a warm breeze, wrapping you up in the nostalgia of adolescence while also sprinkling in a dash of magic that keeps you on the edge of your beach towel. As the girls grappled with the complexities of adolescence and the weight of their own secrets, I found myself laughing, crying, and cheering them on every step of the way. Perfect for fans of contemporary YA fiction, “These Bodies Between Us” is a captivating read that will stay with you long after you turn the final page.
While the concept of invisibility adds an intriguing twist, it is the emotional depth of the characters that truly shines in this novel. Van Name’s writing is like a warm breeze, wrapping you up in the nostalgia of adolescence while also sprinkling in a dash of magic that keeps you on the edge of your beach towel. As the girls grappled with the complexities of adolescence and the weight of their own secrets, I found myself laughing, crying, and cheering them on every step of the way. Perfect for fans of contemporary YA fiction, “These Bodies Between Us” is a captivating read that will stay with you long after you turn the final page.
Till There Was You by Lindsay Hameroff
funny
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
As a fan of both celebrity and chef romances, I knew this romcom and I would be a perfect pair!
Culinary student Lexi Berman and takes center stage with her goal of becoming an executive chef to honor her late mother. But when she meets the charming musician Jake Taylor, her carefully crafted plans take an unexpected turn. What follows is a whirlwind romance filled with humor, heart, and a dash of celebrity drama!
Lindsay Hameroff’s engaging writing style and lovable characters make this a must-read for fans of feel-good fiction. Lexi’s career aspirations with her budding relationship with Jake are balanced excellently, creating a story that’s as satisfying as Lexi’s famous blueberry pancakes.
While the story moves at a brisk pace, Hameroff’s witty prose and relatable characters keep you hooked the entire time. Whether you’re a fan of romantic comedies or simply craving a feel-good read, “Till There Was You” is sure to satisfy your literary appetite and leave you eagerly turning the pages until the very end!
Culinary student Lexi Berman and takes center stage with her goal of becoming an executive chef to honor her late mother. But when she meets the charming musician Jake Taylor, her carefully crafted plans take an unexpected turn. What follows is a whirlwind romance filled with humor, heart, and a dash of celebrity drama!
Lindsay Hameroff’s engaging writing style and lovable characters make this a must-read for fans of feel-good fiction. Lexi’s career aspirations with her budding relationship with Jake are balanced excellently, creating a story that’s as satisfying as Lexi’s famous blueberry pancakes.
While the story moves at a brisk pace, Hameroff’s witty prose and relatable characters keep you hooked the entire time. Whether you’re a fan of romantic comedies or simply craving a feel-good read, “Till There Was You” is sure to satisfy your literary appetite and leave you eagerly turning the pages until the very end!
The Love Remedy by Elizabeth Everett
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I'm very conflicted about this book. I love the premise, the backdrop of the apothecary shop, and the single dad trope (although it's not usually for me!), but the plot seemed to drag for most- if not all- of the book. It usually takes me a few days to read a book but this one took me about three weeks and really put me in a slump. I wanted to know what happened, but I kept finding myself doing another hobby instead of reading to avoid sitting down with this one. It's definitely not a page turner that keeps you up at night.
I think I'll still give the second one a try when it comes out since I love the characters themselves and the setting!
Thank you to Berkley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
I think I'll still give the second one a try when it comes out since I love the characters themselves and the setting!
Thank you to Berkley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Breakup Vacation by Anna Gracia
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Alcohol
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Racism
The Partner Plot by Kristina Forest
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Racism and Violence
This Day Changes Everything by Edward Underhill
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia and Outing
Minor: Deadnaming and Vomit
How You Get The Girl by Anita Kelly
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
4.0
Anita Kelly's "How You Get The Girl" serves up a winning blend of humor, heart, and sizzling chemistry in this charming workplace rom-com. Set against the backdrop of high school basketball, the story follows Coach Julie Parker as she finds herself drawn to the enigmatic Elle Cochrane, a former WNBA player and now her assistant coach. As Julie navigates her attraction to Elle, the two embark on a journey of self-discovery and practice dating that will have readers cheering for their romance.
While the story starts off a bit slow, it quickly gains momentum, capturing the reader's attention with its endearing characters and side plots. Kelly handles the sensitive topic of foster parenting with care and authenticity, adding depth to the narrative. As someone who appreciates a well-executed sports romance, I found myself thoroughly entertained by Julie and Elle's dynamic and relatable journey. "How You Get The Girl" is a delightful read that balances humor and heart, making it a perfect choice for fans of sapphic romances and workplace dramas alike.
While the story starts off a bit slow, it quickly gains momentum, capturing the reader's attention with its endearing characters and side plots. Kelly handles the sensitive topic of foster parenting with care and authenticity, adding depth to the narrative. As someone who appreciates a well-executed sports romance, I found myself thoroughly entertained by Julie and Elle's dynamic and relatable journey. "How You Get The Girl" is a delightful read that balances humor and heart, making it a perfect choice for fans of sapphic romances and workplace dramas alike.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Drug abuse
The Catch by Amy Lea
Reel in this February release and mount it on your wall, because "The Catch" by Amy Lea gets five stars from this reader! Thank you to Berkley for this free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Melanie, a Boston influencer, dives headfirst into a quirky Canadian fishing village to rescue her brand after a scheduling mix-up. A boat mishap with the rugged fisherman Evan sets the stage for a hilarious fake engagement, complete with family feuds and wild chemistry in the charming chaos of Cora's Cove.
Amy Lea's storytelling skillfully balances humor, family dynamics, and unexpected romance. Mel and Evan’s chemistry is hotter than a fresh order of poutine, and while their need to take charge may seem immature, their deep talks with one another show how the sexiest trait in a partner is communication. I won’t give away the ending, but it’s the most realistic conclusion I’ve read in a while! I also love how the East Coast backdrop adds an extra layer of charm to the narrative, making it a perfect choice for anyone who loves a small-town romance.
If you're into romantic comedies that deliver laughs, swoon-worthy moments, and a dose of joy, this one's a winner. Highly recommend!
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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? No
5.0
Reel in this February release and mount it on your wall, because "The Catch" by Amy Lea gets five stars from this reader! Thank you to Berkley for this free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Melanie, a Boston influencer, dives headfirst into a quirky Canadian fishing village to rescue her brand after a scheduling mix-up. A boat mishap with the rugged fisherman Evan sets the stage for a hilarious fake engagement, complete with family feuds and wild chemistry in the charming chaos of Cora's Cove.
Amy Lea's storytelling skillfully balances humor, family dynamics, and unexpected romance. Mel and Evan’s chemistry is hotter than a fresh order of poutine, and while their need to take charge may seem immature, their deep talks with one another show how the sexiest trait in a partner is communication. I won’t give away the ending, but it’s the most realistic conclusion I’ve read in a while! I also love how the East Coast backdrop adds an extra layer of charm to the narrative, making it a perfect choice for anyone who loves a small-town romance.
If you're into romantic comedies that deliver laughs, swoon-worthy moments, and a dose of joy, this one's a winner. Highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
Minor: Abandonment
Mentions of spiders/insects