You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.

read_with_bre's Reviews (84)

Hell Followed with Us

Andrew Joseph White

DID NOT FINISH: 21%
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

If you've been thinking about reading this one for a while just do it. It's not quite a five-star read for me, but I loved how wonderfully complex and compelling Evelyn was as the Hollywood "It" Girl.
emotional inspiring medium-paced

If you're a part of, or an ally to, the LGBTQIA community I highly recommend you read at least one of Bechdel's books at some point. Took me longer than it should've, but I think I found this tragicomic just when I needed it.
funny lighthearted slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

The second part of the book really does feel like a different one from the first part. I also thought the epilogue wasn't necessary for any plot points beyond the update to her stepdad, and because it ends just like any stereotypical romance book, I just felt that the ending was done with the final chapter. 

I absolutely loved all the scenes set behind the scenes with The Night Owls! Would've easily enjoyed an entire novel about how shows like SNL come together week in and out. And while I understand that it's hard to portray a character with self-esteem issues realistically (and Sittenfeld does do a good job of this throughout) I had a hard time reading it by the last quarter of the book. I wanted it to add a more meaningful point in the plot and instead just felt like a crutch for her character's avoidance of relationships that kept repeating in the same ways over the whole book.


I'll probably be recommending this one to my mom but can't imagine many of my own friend group really loving this one.
challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Imogen is such a sweet jellybean of a character. Occasionally a little naive, but she is supposed to still be in high school. It's a little funny how often the author mentions Casey McQuiston as before the first mention showed up, I was just thinking to myself "this is the exact opposite main character from 'I Kissed Shara Wheeler' and I love both of them".

I'm absolutely living for how many people agree that Gretchen is the worst (really knocked it out of the park on that type of person Becky).


I laughed, I cried, and I wish I'd had this book around when I was figuring out my own identity in high school.
funny lighthearted relaxing 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: Complicated
dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Thanks to the publisher for supplying this ARC to my store! Rounding up as I think this one was a solid 3.5 star book for me. 

I've been a longtime fan of Lisa Jewell's and her newest doesn't disappoint! It was truly bonkers from start to finish, and I love when she gives us an unreliable narrator like Josie. Definitely grabbed me from page one and I can't express just how much I love her epilogues. Every time the plot has been nicely wrapped up, here come Jewell playing her final card and it always takes me down. 

Not a re-read for me but I had a good time anyway!
hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
fast-paced

This book is so simple, and I mean that in the best way. Anyone can read this and follow along, and it doesn't feel like the reader is made to feel stupid or like they're being talked down to for not understanding. This book really is for anyone and everyone regardless of their pronouns.