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readingwryly's reviews
236 reviews
One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London
5.0
YAAAS! This story is EVERYTHING. I laughed and I cried... for Bea, for myself, and for every woman. This book hit my guilty-pleasure-bachelor-nation checkbox (but better) and quelled my romance fever, while simultaneously reminding me how fierce women are. I’m currently having a full on, fist in the air, Rocky Balboa moment in my brain pictures, for every woman who has ever felt ashamed of her body or felt just a little bit different.
This novel is inclusive, and endearing...and wonderful. I will definitely be looking for more from Kate Stayman-London.
Fully recommend this for all shapes, sizes, genders and species.
This novel is inclusive, and endearing...and wonderful. I will definitely be looking for more from Kate Stayman-London.
Fully recommend this for all shapes, sizes, genders and species.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
5.0
I’m on a roll ending the year with some great books! If you’ve ever had regrets in life, this book is for you. If you’ve ever wondered, what if you had done something differently, or dwelled on a decision you’ve made, this book is for you.
Matt Haig is exploring philosophical ideas and existentialism throughout this novel. He dares you to see the forest through the trees.
This will leave you with a new perspective, perfect for this time of year with resolutions and joy!
Matt Haig is exploring philosophical ideas and existentialism throughout this novel. He dares you to see the forest through the trees.
This will leave you with a new perspective, perfect for this time of year with resolutions and joy!
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
4.0
I read this based on a raving review and couldn’t resist. At first I thought it was just going to be a cute hate to love trope romance. There was a certain passage that rubbed me the wrong way about disability early on. Then I started to think this was a male author because of some of the descriptions, but no, it was written by a woman. I was on a teeter totter of affection and revulsion much of the way through this. Is this subtle romantic folly? Is this smut?
The answer is, a little of both. It was sweet...and hot as hell. You think it will be an CINEMAX special but it turns into a hallmark love story.
The pacing was perfect. This book is such a tease. I was waiting with baited breath for these two to get together!
Overall I fully enjoyed this.
The answer is, a little of both. It was sweet...and hot as hell. You think it will be an CINEMAX special but it turns into a hallmark love story.
The pacing was perfect. This book is such a tease. I was waiting with baited breath for these two to get together!
Overall I fully enjoyed this.
His & Hers by Alice Feeney
4.0
Not a bad way to start off the year! This was twisty AF! Soo many red herrings! It got me. It has all the tropes too, domestic drama, private school scandal, potential serial killer, quiet British town, possible revenge? The story is told from 3 POVs: His, hers, and the killers. Very sharply written!
A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown
4.0
Just what I needed to get me out of my rut! This book has so many stunning attributes.
I love the representation here! The commentary eludes to a discussion of race, while also avoiding it by focusing the prejudice to nationality, seemingly only recognizable by accents. We also had mental health representation here, touching on anxiety and panic attacks that Brown somehow manages to both accurately represent while also giving the sufferer power in it. There is a moment concerning this that is so fresh, charming, and is probably the first of its kind in YA fantasy fiction. So, there’s that.
The world is rich and colorful. The characters are lovely. There is a conversation about family in here that is truly heartwarming.
However, It wasn’t until the end that I started to understand the full scope of the story. This may have been intentional. Also, there was something missing in the romance for me. I didn’t swoon. I wanted to swoon! But maybe we will see more of that in the coming continuation?
Overall I really enjoyed this. It was so fresh and captivating.
It didn’t seem quite as big as other fictional worlds comparatively, but it was so so close. It also brought things I haven’t seen before. I’m a happy camper! Can’t wait for book two!
I love the representation here! The commentary eludes to a discussion of race, while also avoiding it by focusing the prejudice to nationality, seemingly only recognizable by accents. We also had mental health representation here, touching on anxiety and panic attacks that Brown somehow manages to both accurately represent while also giving the sufferer power in it. There is a moment concerning this that is so fresh, charming, and is probably the first of its kind in YA fantasy fiction. So, there’s that.
The world is rich and colorful. The characters are lovely. There is a conversation about family in here that is truly heartwarming.
However, It wasn’t until the end that I started to understand the full scope of the story. This may have been intentional. Also, there was something missing in the romance for me. I didn’t swoon. I wanted to swoon! But maybe we will see more of that in the coming continuation?
Overall I really enjoyed this. It was so fresh and captivating.
It didn’t seem quite as big as other fictional worlds comparatively, but it was so so close. It also brought things I haven’t seen before. I’m a happy camper! Can’t wait for book two!