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purplepenning's reviews
1670 reviews
The Undermining of Twyla and Frank by Megan Bannen
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
I really want to unequivocally love these bonkers fantasy-Western-mystery-rom-coms. This one even has an adorable baby dragon! And more Duckers! And a lovely "darlin'"-drawling marshal named Frank who is friends-to-lovers GOLD. And it may also reveal a common theme that I wasn't expecting from the series: women recalibrating their lives after being downtrodden by sexist expectation. Twyla, who is 53 and VERY Midwestern-mom-coded, is at a different stage in her life than Mercy (from the previous book) was but both deal with challenging family dynamics that they've co-created/tolerated for too long. Since this one is written from just Twyla's point of view, we spend much of the book in her head, working all of that out. Which, you know, is fine... but not exactly what I was looking for in a bonkers fantasy-Western-mystery-rom-com. It was maybe laid on just a little thick for my liking. And I did miss getting Frank's point of view.
I mean, I'll still saddle up for the next equimaris ride into this universe, but I'll be hoping for more Tanrian adventures and mystery-rom-com shenanigans and a little less single-pov angst.
I mean, I'll still saddle up for the next equimaris ride into this universe, but I'll be hoping for more Tanrian adventures and mystery-rom-com shenanigans and a little less single-pov angst.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Death, Fatphobia, Sexual content, Violence, Excrement, Kidnapping, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
The Hunter by Tana French
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
Probably not 5 stars on its own, but I read The Searcher and The Hunter back-to-back and together they deserve top marks. Beautiful writing and deft character development in a slow-burn mystery set among a gorgeous Irish village of tight-knit, twinkling-eyed, deadly determined meddlers.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Physical abuse, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Torture
The Searcher by Tana French
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
I don't usually choose mysteries that are steeped in melancholy, but the Tana French fans aren't wrong — the writing is beautiful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Physical abuse, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Blood, Grief, and Alcohol
The Burnout by Sophie Kinsella
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
My first Sophie Kinsella book! Other than being a bit longer than I anticipated (and probably more than a bit longer than the story needed), it was a solid pick! A funny, lighthearted, hopeful British romance with a good dose of "women's fiction" running through it and a even a smidgeon of mystery.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Minor: Sexual content and Alcohol
Birding with Benefits by Sarah T. Dubb
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
This has been the unexpected hit of the summer for me! Kind, competent 40+ year olds, acting like actual adults in a hella steamy rom-com that, yes, features birding, and also gives a whole new meaning to "competence porn."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Toxic relationship and Alcohol
Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller
4.25
"Gather as much knowledge as you can, because information is power. And choosing how to use it is freedom. The more you know, the freer you will be."
An incredibly relevant, entertainingly satirical story of high school rivals dueling over a small town's heart and soul through the issue of banned books and one sneaky adjustment to the contents of a little free library. In turns sweet, messy, sharp-edged, and deadly serious, it had me smirking, nodding along, and riveted till the end. If you liked "The Reading List" and fervantly believe in the power of books to change the world, get your hands on this one!
An incredibly relevant, entertainingly satirical story of high school rivals dueling over a small town's heart and soul through the issue of banned books and one sneaky adjustment to the contents of a little free library. In turns sweet, messy, sharp-edged, and deadly serious, it had me smirking, nodding along, and riveted till the end. If you liked "The Reading List" and fervantly believe in the power of books to change the world, get your hands on this one!
The Moth Keeper by K. O'Neill
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Abandonment