rachelisathomas22's reviews
375 reviews

Rosie and the Dreamboat by Sally Thorne

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

I never had a fear of float tanks before this LOL. It’s a cute short story to think about something else.

Worst Wingman Ever by Abby Jimenez

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

I aspire to be the grandma in this story.

The Exception to the Rule by Christina Lauren

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

This is such a cute, fun, and light short story written by Christina Lauren as an installment of meet-cute short stories from various romance authors! I loved the format of the story and I was literally SCREAMING towards the end. Absolutely yelling. For a short story, I thought the plot felt so grounded and had a complete arc. This was such a good Valentine's week read. 

The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak

emotional informative inspiring sad 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

4.75

House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous dark emotional inspiring medium-paced

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

4.75

The Last Moonlight Dragon by Dorothy McFalls

adventurous dark emotional fast-paced

2.0

If you like fast-paced, fantasy books with spice, enemy races, and making sense of legends I think you may enjoy this book. You can tell the author spent a lot of time trying to build up the mystery surrounding the main character and the situation she was thrust into, especially to continue with the series. 

I simply think this book just wasn't for me, and that's okay. There were great elements to the story but it lacked in execution. I would have preferred the beginning to take a bit more time before Celestina started traveling with the army so we had the chance to really get to know her and her motivations. As a whole, I would have preferred the characters to have more development so they felt more dimensional to me. 

Thank you to author Dororthy McFalls for the eARC. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual content, Slavery

Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence

Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring 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

4.5

This is a beautiful book based on a strong love for two people and their support system. You come to root for Iris and Roman as they face new challenges and try to make the best choices possible to get back to each other.

Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune

emotional inspiring 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

4.0

This was my second book by TJ Klune, and I enjoyed my read! Klune’s humor and ability to write character growth feels unique and is always enjoyable. I thought the setting and concept of this way station after death felt unique and gave the reader something to think about and a motivation to keep reading just so you could figure out more than world and the book’s parameters of death. I think what I would have enjoyed more is if we met the manager a bit sooner to introduce a bit more tension into the plot earlier, and I wish the love story in the book had a bit more steady development throughout the book other than hinting at it until it kind of went all in. Both of those points are a bit nit-picky and regardless this was an overall enjoyable read. 

The Wedding People by Alison Espach

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

5.0

What a read! I was intrigued by the title and cover of the book, and immediately hooked by the beginning. The subject of depression, suicide, and mental health can be tricky, and author Alison Espach handled the subject matter with care and grace crafting a funny and thought-provoking novel. It’s interesting how Espach takes us through Phoebe’s time at the wedding; it unravels almost like a mystery getting the different perspectives of the different people at the wedding and keeps you on your toes to see what will happen at the end of the week for Phoebe. The main characters growth and slowly gaining confidence feels earned and never feels rushed. The writing style Espach uses lends to the kind of inner monologue Phoebe has, highly intelligent and a classic overthinker. 

This is a good read for readers who like a story of character growth and unraveling the relationships between people.

This review was in exchange for a free advanced reader copy through NetGalley. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Infertility, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0