rubybereading's reviews
70 reviews

The New Year's Party by Daniel Hurst

fast-paced

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

2.0

Meh! I intended to read this in one sitting, but the first few chapters were so boring that I just stopped reading it  for a days. And it’s so short that it felt stupid to dnf it, so I went ahead and finished it real quick (after a week of ignoring it). I can say it definitely picked up after chapter 3 or 4, and had interesting twists. It just wasn’t fun to read. I was like, “…oh…” I didn’t hate it. The writing was just so blah. I think it was maybe just a little too straight to the point? Idk. I was just bored as hell. Even with all the twists. I’m glad it only takes really about 12 seconds to read it if you just go ahead and read it. That’s probably why I didn’t hate it. Idk. Whatever. It’s fine. Sure.

If He Had Been with Me by Laura Nowlin

dark emotional sad slow-paced

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

3.75

I’m slightly torn about this one. On the one hand, it was so relatable and authentic. I felt, almost, like someone was actually talking to me and personally telling me their story. But it was also very repetitive, long-winded, and very boring throughout like 90% of it. But it was also kind of addictive?? I think because we knew part of what was coming. Not in a traditionally “predictable” way, but the most major plot point is (intentionally) preluded to from the very first page, so we know (or can assume) what happens with an important character in the story. But knowing what’s to come made it more interesting and intriguing even with the boring lead-up to it. And it was boring but so realistic that the boringness of it was bearable. And, though I usually hate when all the “good sh*t” is thrown at the end of the book, this is one where it made sense to do it that way. Especially because it rips your heart to shreds. I cried LOUDLY at the end. I’m talking about shoulders jumping, tears flowing, snot snotting. I was a mess!! It was definitely worth the boredom by the end. Especially if you’re one of those weirdos, like me, who love when a book sends you into existential despair. 😀

House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen

dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

3.75⭐️, but close enough to 4⭐️.  Well, I was definitely at the edge of my seat. It was a ride from the beginning, though it was still kind of a slow burn of a psychological thriller, but the pacing was almost perfect. I like the way the suspense was building throughout the story and how it kept me wondering. The eerie atmosphere of the house and the mysterious and dark personality traits of the characters, especially the little girl, had me a little shook. I could feel how cold and hollow it felt for Stella throughout all of her experiences and interactions. It was spine-tingling and I was hooked by the time I was halfway through the book. Still, I wasn’t completely satisfied with the ending (and the few typos in the book annoyed me) but it was good enough. The ending took it down a notch for me, but it was a solid 4 through 80-90% of the story.

This Ravenous Fate by Hayley Dennings

dark emotional tense slow-paced

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

2.5

😒

The Answer is No by Fredrik Backman

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.75

This was the first short story that I almost dnf’d (they’re so short, you might as well go ahead and finish it since it can be done in one sitting. Ya know?). But the first half was so cringy with the corny “jokes” and I didn’t find it funny at all. My face was like this, 😐, the whole time…at first. Then, halfway through, I found myself accidentally and unexpectedly laughing literally OUT LOUD and a FEW times! Then the heartwarming parts made it grow on me even more. I realized how relatable it was and then remembered that I actually like corny jokes. It really turned around for me, and I really ended up enjoying it—especially the heartfelt messages at the end. I’m glad I kept reading. 😊

Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous emotional funny inspiring tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

This book was perfect for my inner child! If this had been a movie when I was little, this is one my sister and I (just 2 years apart) would’ve watched at least 12 billion times. It was so whimsical, funny, inspiring, adventurous, and just fun! I loved Tress’s spunk, good nature, good heart, determination, courage, and resourcefulness. Her found family warmed my heart, and Hoid made me laugh out loud so many times (despite him annoying me in the first chapter—I just had to get used to the humor). This is my first Brandon Sanderson book, but won’t likely be my last. My son loves his books and has been begging me to read this one. I’m a little mad at myself for waiting so long, but I’m glad I finally did. I’m kind of sad it’s over. This book made me so happy. 😍

Merry Ever After by Tessa Bailey

fast-paced

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

1.0

This was so ridiculous and so cringe. That was the most unrealistic instalove I’ve ever read before. There was no real background to make it believable. Just immediate physical attraction. The dialogue was not convincing, and the spice was so unsexy. Is smut supposed to turn you off?? I felt myself getting drier and drier with each page. And I won’t even get on the choices made by her as a parent. That would take too many more words and I’m already mad I have a reason to even talk about this book. I wish I could unread it. I’ve never read a Tessa Bailey book before and I’m pretty sure I never will again. I was going to finish this series, but I’m not even sure I want to anymore. Wtf was that??

Untouchable by Shon

slow-paced

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

1.0

Lord. Smh! This book irritated me to no end! And not for the reasons it was, apparently, supposed to. I’m still trying to understand why there was a disclaimer at the beginning asking the readers to give Tallulah some grace because she’s been through a lot, as if SHE was the problem in the book. And, as I read the reviews (which I tend to do after finishing books I either loved or hated), I’m seeing all these ppl complain about Tally and how Pierre was “too good for her” and how she “doesn’t deserve him” and how “insufferable” she was, and I’m so confused. It makes me think the disclaimer that the author put at the beginning was way too influential, which makes the book even MORE annoying. Please tell me how Tally is the problem. She was hurt by a previous relationship, and it caused her to put her guard up and place strict rules on her dating life. Pierre, her “best friend” since they were little and who was SECRETLY in love with her, offers himself up to be used as a sexual plaything after she complained about a drought she was going through—FULLY AWARE, mind you, of her strict rules and boundaries, but wants the chance to at least get some of her if he can. Tally, completely unaware that he’s in love with her, agrees because as her “best friend” he appears to be a safe bet. Within a year, he professes his love for her (conveniently, always either during or immediately after he brings her to completion—I’m  trying not to be vulgar). When she doesn’t reciprocate, he purposely plots with one of their mutual friends to pop up on her dates with other men, show up unannounced to outings, corners her and uses her sexual appetite to seduce her in order to sabotage her dates, is aggressive with the other men in her life even though he knew going into the agreement that she would still date other men, and then…AND THEN (!!!), when she decides that even though she’s realized that she has feelings for him too, she would rather try to salvage their friendship and tells him they should stop having sex. Not only does this “best friend” of hers yell “NO”, but he goes off, accuses her of using him—when HE’S the one who offered his body while, again, SECRETLY in love with her—and then insults her character and stops talking to her for weeks. And it’s TALLULAH I’m supposed to be bothered by throughout this story?? Because she denies her feelings for him in an effort to protect her own  heart by abiding by her own rules that he knew about?? Like…tf?? Am I the a**hole for thinking HE’S the a**hole and that she needs to run fast in the opposite direction of wherever he is?? Omg! Pierre made me start to wonder if I hate men. Maybe because I’ve known a LOT of Pierres and UGH none of that is attractive or romantic or desirable. Dude was weird and scary af! And he would’ve been dead to me after the temper tantrum he had over some damn sex. And to top it off, for the majority of the remainder of the book, Tally is self-loathing and blaming herself for messing up their relationship and constantly talking about how she deserves the treatment he’s giving her. What?? Rolling my eyes HARD! I was not happy that they worked it out. And that last part really annoyed tf out of me at the end when she asks if he’s mad at her for “making him a babydaddy before a husband”! Girl, what?!? If that’s not some backward a** sh*t, idk what is! As if HE didn’t impregnate HER without HIM first proposing to his “best friend” that he’s supposedly so “in love with” prior to said impregnation?!? Uggggghhhh! I hated this with a passion! Dishonorable mention to the typos, formatting errors, and the attempt at flowery prose to make a toxic relationship sound beautiful. ‘Twas not!

Cruel Winter with You by Ali Hazelwood

emotional funny 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

I’ve never read Ali Hazelwood (or ANY of the writers in this collection), so I was using these as a sample to see if I wanted to try to get into any of their other work. So far, of the 3 I read—the others being Olivia Dade’s whose I did enjoy, and Tessa Bailey’s whose I hated—this one was my favorite and the only author who I now want to read more of. It was cute and funny and sweet. I like that, even though this was a very short story, we still got a full retelling of their background and it gave us context as to where their feelings came from. Their banter was cute to me and I was so happy for them at the end. And the spice wasn’t cringe and over the top. It is kind of annoying that every MMC in these books have these huge monster elephant trunk d*cks that barely fit the FMC and hurts SO bad but makes them *** like 12 thousand times (🙄), but I guess that’s to be expected in these kinds of books. Anyway, other than that I loved it. I have seen criticism about his obsessiveness with her, but I feel like it makes sense with their background and history, so that didn’t bother me. But yeah, this is the last one I’m going to read from the collection. There are only 2 left, but I’m not that enthused and I’d rather end it with a bang. Plus, the moment has passed.

Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay
Did not finish book. Stopped at 53%.

I’m in a slump and this one isn’t pulling me out. Plus, I lost track of the plot and wasn’t even sure what was going on anymore.