readingasiknit's reviews
335 reviews

The Love Haters by Katherine Center

emotional medium-paced

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

3.5

3.5 rounded to a 4. I have feelings about this one. Mixed emotions and I went back and forth with my rating.

I had a hard time connecting with the female MC. I really struggled with her body image issues and the constant need for reassurance. She grew on me during the blast scene and hurricane, IYKYK.

Hutch (male MC) was touch and go for me to. Sweet guy but I don’t know a wee bit of savior complex.

I get it, it’s fiction and not real, but it wasn’t as swoony as some of KC’s other writings. 

The last 25% kept me at a 3.5. Rue was the real MVP and I adored her. Beanie also had her moments. 

It’s a cute romcom but felt a little different than KC’s usual writings. 


Trigger warnings: Death of a parent, grief, body dysmorphia

Thank you MacMillian Audio & NetGalley for this advanced ALC & eARC.

Such a Good Mom by Julia Spiro

mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

This book was real and raw for me as a mom. The thoughts and feelings Brynn had as a new mom are so common but unspoken.  I loved how her journey with motherhood paralleled with her navigating her world as her husband gets arrested for murder! I say this time and time again, I love a book with dramatic rich people. When done well it adds a flair to the book. 

I would say to all moms new or veteraned this book is a raw fictional take on motherhood and identity. Brynn does have some intrusive thoughts that maybe triggering for some.

I was entertained and sucked into this book the whole time. I loved the audio. Thank MacMillian Audio for this ALC.

All About Love: New Visions by bell hooks

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring slow-paced

I have enjoyed bell hooks books since college and this one did not disappoint.

All the Signs by Jessie Rosen

hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Poster child for type A personality, Leah, finds herself in the unknown and unplanned after a vertigo spell. Jessie Rosen takes us on a journey as this science minded, OBGYN, MC battles against astrology and finding her own true self.

 I absolutely love this unique premise. I went down the rabbit hole myself with the rising and moon signs. I felt seen with Leah. She was doing what was expected of her staying in the box and following in her dad’s footsteps. I loved watching her journey and growth from clothes to travel to going on a whim. I wanted to jump on a plane to Italy and that is saying a lot. 

Thank you Putnam Books for my physical ARC and ebook on NetGalley! 

The Library Game by Gigi Pandian

mysterious medium-paced

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

3.5

This was a cute cozy mystery about a small town home reno company helping bring a mysteries only library to life. And then someone gets murdered! **gasp**

This was boom 4 in the series and there were moments the author alluded to something from the MCs past, and since I hadn’t read the other books, it was a little confusing, but it didn’t take away from the book as a whole.

I’m always a sucker for a cozy mystery especially in a small town 

They Never Learn by Layne Fargo

dark mysterious 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

This book gives all the female Dexter vibes. Another addicting book by Lane Fargo. 

I had to know what was happening next. 

Loved:
+Revenge Killings
+Cat/Mouse Vibes
+Dual POV
+FEMALE killer

This book was so fun to listen to as Scarlett plotted each kill and Carly was navigating freshman year in the dorms.

Pink Glass Houses by Asha Elias

medium-paced

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

4.0

Rich people behaving badly, so much D R A M A and lovely Florida sunshine. Absolutely loved this book, following around multiple moms at a well to do elementary school. When I say drama, I mean it. This was so fun to read. 

You Are Fatally Invited by Ande Pliego

mysterious 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

4.0

As a lover of Clue as a kid I sank my teeth into this one. There were SO MANY twists as we figured out who was who and who did what.

I enjoyed it. There were moments where it felt a little chaotic but not enough to make me stop reading. 

Also I love when there are characters you love to hate…Fletcher!!

Stars in Your Eyes by Kacen Callender

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

5.0

Stars in Your Eyes is a heartfelt, hopeful, and nuanced story about identity, healing, and growth.” This quote in the book description sums it up for me.

Heartfelt: the relationship between Mattie & Logan just got my heart

Hopeful: I was rooting for Logan the whole time, it got me in the therapist feels with his trauma.

Identity: Watching both actors grapple with their sexual identity and Hollywood’s response to be biracial.

Healing: I LOVED watching this happen.

Growth: The true nature that people can change when they are ready. 

A little spicy, spicy added some flair to this book! I really enjoyed it and look forward to more by Kacen!

Julie Tudor is Not a Psychopath: A Novel by Jennifer Holdich
Did not finish book. Stopped at 35%.

The book was repetitive and the unreliable narrator is usually a favorite of mine but it was just too much. 

I found myself not interested in picking up the book again.