raesreadingrealm_'s reviews
270 reviews

lighthearted fast-paced

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

3.0

The Do-Over by Lynn Painter

This delightful and humorous young adult romance will captivate readers who enjoy lighthearted, feel-good stories with a touch of magical realism. Themes of self-discovery, love, and second chances make it a perfect fit for fans of romantic comedies and time-loop tales. After a disastrous Valentine's Day, Emilie Hornby finds herself stuck in a time loop, reliving the same day over and over. As she navigates her boyfriend's infidelity and encounters with the enigmatic Nick, Emilie must confront her own life choices. Will she find a way to break the cycle and discover a new path?

Book Review

I picked up this book based on the dedication, despite initial reservations about reading another high school-centric story. However, the author masterfully made me relate to Emmie, the main character, on a deep level. Her love for planning, color coding, and routine resonated eerily with me - it was like reading about my own life. Emmie's struggles to liberate herself from self-imposed pressures to be the perfect daughter, student, and girlfriend hit close to home. Her journey was a poignant reminder to break free from constraints and embrace individuality. This book expertly balanced emotions, humor, and sweet moments, making it a standout YA read. I'm thrilled to say it pulled me out of a three-month reading slump!

Wild Love by Elsie Silver

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funny lighthearted 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

4.25

Content Warnings

As Good As Dead by Holly Jackson

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

It felt good to be back in Little Kilton and I know it's gonna be bittersweet when I eventually pick up the last book.
GGBB had my thoughts itching to fill in gaps and I still have second hand embarrassment over how smart I thought I was trying to put pieces together; heads up, don't. You'll look like a clown trying to be smarter than this author who does an excellent job telling a compelling story.

Ravi and Pip were adorable.
My heart was sore for Cara, she's so strong.
I want to give the biggest hug to Connor, Jamie and Nat.
Fuck Ant and Lauren - I hope they both cheat on each other.
Josh is a little cutie patootie.
Max Hastings can also get fucked.
Detective Silva can join in on that too.
I miss Sal.

And I want to say something about *that somebody*, you'll know when you eventually read it.
I thought I had a good moral compass going on until I read this character's story. I thought my view of the world was just black and white and that I could hold a solid opinion regarding what's right or wrong.
I ended up crying over someone who had nothing but a few cameos yet was so vital to the story. They truly deserve better and those town people with those nasty signs can go and choke on them because this person deserved so much more than what happened. I didn't think their death would hit me this hard but I'm actually grieving a fictional character?

If you haven't read the AGGGTM series, you're defintely missing out.

Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver

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adventurous dark emotional funny lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced