readsinfrogpjs's reviews
451 reviews

Ellie Haycock Is Totally Normal by Gretchen Schreiber

challenging emotional informative inspiring sad slow-paced

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

3.0

Ellie Haycock Is Totally Normal Is a decent debut novel. I will be honest and say I'm giving a bit more favorable rating simply for the content and subject matter. Diversity and representation in books, especially children and young adult novels, is so important and critical.  Being able to read about main characters that we can identify with is critical to self esteem, providing validation and support.  And at the same time breaking down negativr stereotypes and creating compassion.  Gretchen Schreiber brings to life a character with a disability, in particular VATER syndrome. You can tell Schreiber put her heart into this book.  I just wished I enjoyed it more.  Main character, Ellie was tough to like and therefore tough to root for.  This book touched on a lot of different topics, spreading the plot thin and creating underdeveloped storylines. For example, Ellie has a huge chip on her shoulder basically the whole novel, there is mention of being let down in past by friends and this is the cause.. but the reader never fully understands what transpired so Ellie comes across as a petulant toddler when it comes to her friendships.  

As I said a decent debut, with a much needed story to tell.  I think Gretchen Schreiber has the potential to knock our socks off with her next one and I'll be looking for it. 

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read and review honestly an advanced digital copy.  

Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad slow-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? It's complicated

3.0

I found Wandering Stars to be beautifully written but at times hard to follow and connect to the characters.  Tommy Orange is a masterful storyteller and takes the reader on a journey like no other. Wandering Stars is a prequel and sequel of sort to There There. The first half of the novel intrigued me more with its historical fiction aspect.  The second half, with its focus more on contemporary life, felt more meandering in thought, and I lost a bit of connection to the characters.  Those interested in the complexities of Native American heritage and impact of generational trauma will find Wandering Stars a powerful and exploratory narrative. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars for writing style and content 
⭐️⭐️ 2 stars for enjoyment and characters 
Overall, ⭐️⭐️⭐️ a 3 star book for me. 

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read and review honestly an advanced digital copy. 

The Burnout by Sophie Kinsella

3.0

A fun quick beach read. 

The Guest by B.A. Paris

challenging mysterious slow-paced

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

3.0

The Guest by B.A. Paris is listed as a mystery/ thriller, I'd classify it as a domestic drama, emphasis on drama. Married couple Gabriel and Iris return home from vacation to find their friend Laure at their home.  Laure claims her husband has a child with another woman, and she just needed to get away.  In support of their friend, Gabriel and Iris offer Laure to stay with them while she figures out the future of her marriage. But as the days go by, things get odd, and secrets are revealed.. albeit slowly.  I usually love B.A. Paris novels, but this one has much slower pace, and I wish there was more action to keep my interest. The ending was satisfying, though, and worth the wait. I was ready to give 2 stars for being an okay read, but the ending adds a star.  A good read, fun for those that like a slower burn and buildup. 

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read and review honestly an advanced digital copy. 

You'll Never Know I'm Here by Kiersten Modglin

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-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? No

3.0

If hold my beer, and watch this was a book.  Wild and crazy ride.. such a fast paced novel.  I honestly think it may have been too quick and fast. I never really was able to settle into the story.  I did enjoy the ending though.  I think fans will be split but for me I felt like Ms. Modglin was making a statement bigger than this novel and the message was heard, loud and clear. I do have to say this wasn't my favorite Kiersten Modglin novel but sure remains an automatic read for me.  The narrator did a pretty good job. At times I thought voice inflection was a bit strange. Overall a well narrated book. 

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read and review honestly an advanced listening copy.

Everyone Who Can Forgive Me Is Dead by Jenny Hollander

challenging dark mysterious sad slow-paced

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

3.0

I think I'm the outlier here but I found this one just okay.  The title, description and cover all drew me in.  I love a good suspense novel dealing with secrets, trauma and unreliable narrators. I think what this one lacks was that fast pace thriller feel.  Main character, Charlotte ''Charlie'' Colbert was developed extremely well.  The downward spiral she took us on as she tried to remember the past felt real and authentic. But we stayed in her head to much of the story.   The result was all the supporting characters were one dimensional and while it was important for Charlie to remember what happened years ago, I could not have cared less what happened to these people.  As a debut novel goes I do think there was potential and will definitely pick up the next Jenny Hollander book. 

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read and review honestly an advanced digital copy. 

When Grumpy Met Sunshine by Charlotte Stein

funny lighthearted slow-paced

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

2.0

If you like straight up romance books, one with lots of banter and spicy scenes this might be a better fit for you than it was me. As the title suggests this is a grumpy meets sunshine romance with a fake dating trope mixed in. 
 Writing was okay and started off fun as hell. Mabel is a great character and honestly  I liked her more before she got tangled up with Mr Grumpy. I like a good side plot to go along with my spice and this one lacked the side plot or any real plot at all.  The ''ghostwriter'' storyline was minimal.  Not a terrible read, an okay story to pass the time. I'm just not a fan of this type of romance.  

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read and review honestly an advanced digital copy. 

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

Ricki Wilde isn't like the rest of her family. I knew I was going to be rooting for her right from the first chapter.  Her sisters are insufferable.  I'm glad she packed up her things, her flowers, and her dreams and moved to New York.  The characters are what made this book so good.  Ricki's new friendship with Tuesday is what all platonic friendships should strive to be.  I loved Tuesday's rough edges and how she 100% had Ricki's back. On to the love interest, the way the connection between Ricki and the mystery man played out was refreshing.  It was like they were pulled to each other by forces other than just lust and romance.  I loved the way Tia Williams incorporated the past black history of Harlem and intertwined it into the present-day narrative .. and when I say present- day, it legit is really set in present-day. February 2024. It was a bit surreal to read a book set in February 2024, especially with a heavy nod at it being leap year, a week before February 2024 was actually beginning. Um, also, that piano! 🔥🔥🔥

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read and review honestly an advanced digital copy. 

The Women by Kristin Hannah

challenging emotional informative reflective sad tense 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? It's complicated

4.0

If you've been anywhere in the book world lately, I'm sure you've come across this title already.  And if you ask most folks that have read it, they will tell you it's amazing, fantastic, possibly best book by Kristin Hannah.  And they wouldn't be wrong. 

Frankie is determined to do the right thing, thinking it will make her father proud. After her brother is sent to Vietnam to fight the war, she follows his path and enlists as an Army nurse.  What she faces in Vietnam is light years away from what her expectations would have ever been.  

I loved how this book explores a part of Vietnam (or any war, really) that isn't usually brought to the forefront.  Women and people of color are often overlooked in the contributions and sacrifices they make for our (USA) country. I feel like this novel was well researched and written in a way that brings the story to life for the reader.  The second half really dives into what it was like for our men and women in our country upon returning home from the war.  

I thought the book was an important read, easily digestible, and overall, a great book.  Reasons not a 5 star read.. for me, the pacing of the second half dragged a bit too much.  And I've read better Hannah books , in particular The Nightingale, and this one came up just a tad short compared to it. But The Women is a must-read for everyone, especially those who are fond of historian fiction and would like to see a story different from those that have already been told. 

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read and review honestly an advanced digital copy 

Till There Was You by Lindsay Hameroff

emotional 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? No

3.0

Til There Was You is a fun 2nd chance at romance novel featuring an aspiring chef and a soon to be music star.  I loved the meet cute turned steamy weekend at the beginning. The chemistry between the main characters was 🔥. 
When Jake leaves to pursue his music, Lexi puts her focus into making her dream of being a chef in a Michelin-star restaurant come true. 
This is were my interest decreased just a little bit.  I thought plot lines were forced and would have wanted to see more of Jake's rise to stardom.  The characters were great and I rooted for them both individually and together.  Lexi's friend group was BFF goals. 
Definitely a great book to get lost in.  Perfect for those looking to clean their palate so to say after a heavy book.  

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for an early digital copy to read and honestly review.