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sand_between_pages's Reviews (734)
hopeful
informative
sad
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
This is my first Chanel Cleeton novel, and it certainly will not be my last!
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I loved learning more about this time period in history. In The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba, we are transported to the late 1890's when Cuba is occupied by Spain. I had NO idea the atrocities that occurred during this time to the Cuban people, and I feel a bit foolish over that. War is hard on the people of the country, and it especially takes its toll on the poor.
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We also get a glimpse of the US during this time and we see how newspapers sensationalized stories to sell papers. Yellow journalism at it's finest, folks! This part of the book is intensely interesting to me and I loved learning more about Hearst and Pulitzer and the war to sell papers.
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Ultimately, this is a story for women. We have three strong women narrating the novel and they all add so much to the story - I cheered for each of them.
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Additionally, we have sprinkles of romance that I felt brought this story even more to life and endeared me further to the characters.
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This is a hist fic win in my book!
.
I loved learning more about this time period in history. In The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba, we are transported to the late 1890's when Cuba is occupied by Spain. I had NO idea the atrocities that occurred during this time to the Cuban people, and I feel a bit foolish over that. War is hard on the people of the country, and it especially takes its toll on the poor.
.
We also get a glimpse of the US during this time and we see how newspapers sensationalized stories to sell papers. Yellow journalism at it's finest, folks! This part of the book is intensely interesting to me and I loved learning more about Hearst and Pulitzer and the war to sell papers.
.
Ultimately, this is a story for women. We have three strong women narrating the novel and they all add so much to the story - I cheered for each of them.
.
Additionally, we have sprinkles of romance that I felt brought this story even more to life and endeared me further to the characters.
.
This is a hist fic win in my book!
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What in the actual..... ?!!?
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I do not know what it is I just read.
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I know I read a thriller. I know it is called The Hunting Wives, but honestly, wtf? lol.
.
Okay so let's just start with the things I enjoyed about The Hunting Wives:
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- The writing. I really enjoyed May Cobb's descriptions, verbiage, and ability to make me tare through the pages of this story. I mean, I absolutely had to know what was going to happen and could not put this book down and that is, indeed, the mark of a good thriller...
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What I didn't like:
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- There are some VERY morally questionable actions in this book that I had a hard time reading. I don't want to give away the plot, so if you're thinking of reading this book and want more on this, feel free to message me.
- All the characters, except poor Graham, were wholly unlikable. Cringey. EEW. I get that this happens a lot in thrillers, but I wasn't really cheering for anyone.
- Certain things about the plot just were not answered. I need answers.
- The ending was anticlimactic.
.
This is a compulsive story and if you're looking for a thriller to read quickly that will kinda blow up your head, this is definitely one to seek. Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for the e-arc!
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I do not know what it is I just read.
.
I know I read a thriller. I know it is called The Hunting Wives, but honestly, wtf? lol.
.
Okay so let's just start with the things I enjoyed about The Hunting Wives:
.
- The writing. I really enjoyed May Cobb's descriptions, verbiage, and ability to make me tare through the pages of this story. I mean, I absolutely had to know what was going to happen and could not put this book down and that is, indeed, the mark of a good thriller...
.
What I didn't like:
.
- There are some VERY morally questionable actions in this book that I had a hard time reading. I don't want to give away the plot, so if you're thinking of reading this book and want more on this, feel free to message me.
- All the characters, except poor Graham, were wholly unlikable. Cringey. EEW. I get that this happens a lot in thrillers, but I wasn't really cheering for anyone.
- Certain things about the plot just were not answered. I need answers.
- The ending was anticlimactic.
.
This is a compulsive story and if you're looking for a thriller to read quickly that will kinda blow up your head, this is definitely one to seek. Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for the e-arc!
hopeful
inspiring
fast-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
I HAVE FEELINGS!
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“Why do we do this? Why do we undervalue things when we have them? Why is it only on the verge of losing something that we see how much we need it?”
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TJR never lets me down. I was a bit nervous to read some of her earlier books but now I have no idea why that is? This book was truly fantastic and I had a hard time putting it down; I feel so emotionally wrecked -in a good way - and I know, that just like all of TJR's books, this one will stay with me.
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This is a great romance for reading about what happens after you fall in love. What happens after you've been with someone for a long period of time? What happens when the things you used to love about someone start to nag on you? What, truly, does compromise entail?
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I was charmed by these characters, especially the grandmother. I also loved how so many types of relationships were represented. Everyone has an idea of what love should like like, but is anyone actually right? I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. Now I am going to go have a good cry over it all :).
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“Why do we do this? Why do we undervalue things when we have them? Why is it only on the verge of losing something that we see how much we need it?”
.
TJR never lets me down. I was a bit nervous to read some of her earlier books but now I have no idea why that is? This book was truly fantastic and I had a hard time putting it down; I feel so emotionally wrecked -in a good way - and I know, that just like all of TJR's books, this one will stay with me.
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This is a great romance for reading about what happens after you fall in love. What happens after you've been with someone for a long period of time? What happens when the things you used to love about someone start to nag on you? What, truly, does compromise entail?
.
I was charmed by these characters, especially the grandmother. I also loved how so many types of relationships were represented. Everyone has an idea of what love should like like, but is anyone actually right? I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. Now I am going to go have a good cry over it all :).
adventurous
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
OH MY GOSH THIS FREAKING BOOK!
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“Love is a powerful thing, more powerful than blood, although both run through us like a river.”
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Okay so wow, where do I even start? This is one hell of a debut. Tracy Deonn is my new hero!! What initially attracted me to Legendborn was the promise of King Arthur. I am a huge fan of Arthurian legend - give me all the Knights of the Round Table, Merlin, quests for the Holy Grail - etc. I wasn't sure what to expect opening of a YA re-imagining, but Deonn kept me intrigued at every turn!
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Our protagonist, Bree, is such a badass and I instantly took to her. Her character guiding us through the story was helpful because there is a lot of information dumped on the reader in the first half of the book - lots of characters, lots of world-building, lots of "this world" history. I liked the build up a lot and never felt like the plot was slow - which is really impressive when writing such a deep foundation.
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Sel was my other favorite character - he is so complex and grey and I loved following his journey as much as I loved following Bree's.
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OH MY GOSH PLEASE EVERYONE READ THIS BOOK!
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“Love is a powerful thing, more powerful than blood, although both run through us like a river.”
.
Okay so wow, where do I even start? This is one hell of a debut. Tracy Deonn is my new hero!! What initially attracted me to Legendborn was the promise of King Arthur. I am a huge fan of Arthurian legend - give me all the Knights of the Round Table, Merlin, quests for the Holy Grail - etc. I wasn't sure what to expect opening of a YA re-imagining, but Deonn kept me intrigued at every turn!
.
Our protagonist, Bree, is such a badass and I instantly took to her. Her character guiding us through the story was helpful because there is a lot of information dumped on the reader in the first half of the book - lots of characters, lots of world-building, lots of "this world" history. I liked the build up a lot and never felt like the plot was slow - which is really impressive when writing such a deep foundation.
.
Sel was my other favorite character - he is so complex and grey and I loved following his journey as much as I loved following Bree's.
.
OH MY GOSH PLEASE EVERYONE READ THIS BOOK!
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"This is precisely what I found so enchanting about history: centuries might separate me from whomever last held the vial, but we shared in the exact sensation of its cool glass between our fingers."
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This debut novel from Sarah Penner is one that you do not want to miss! At only three hundred pages, I read it quick - and while I don't tend to lover shorter books, I feel that Penner did an amazing job writing a compelling story in only a few hundred pages! The Lost Apothecary had a little bit of all the things that I really enjoy in a novel:
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- History
- A touch of magical realism
- Strong females
- Mystery and intrigue
- Symbolism
- Superb and easy-to-read writing
- A bomb ending!
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I am so thrilled that this book is a Sand to Summits Book Club pick because I would have been sad to sleep on it. If you have this one unread on your shelf, make it read folks!
.
This debut novel from Sarah Penner is one that you do not want to miss! At only three hundred pages, I read it quick - and while I don't tend to lover shorter books, I feel that Penner did an amazing job writing a compelling story in only a few hundred pages! The Lost Apothecary had a little bit of all the things that I really enjoy in a novel:
.
- History
- A touch of magical realism
- Strong females
- Mystery and intrigue
- Symbolism
- Superb and easy-to-read writing
- A bomb ending!
.
I am so thrilled that this book is a Sand to Summits Book Club pick because I would have been sad to sleep on it. If you have this one unread on your shelf, make it read folks!
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you so much to Scribner for the gifted copy and to Libro.fm for the ALC in exchange for an honest review!
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If I were to review Mirrorland in one sentence: Confusing but intriguing with a BOMB ending.
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But it's hard to review Mirrorland because ultimately, I recognize that this book is well-crafted, well-written, full of intrigue, and very twisty - but OMG is it confusing! As much as I love audiobooks, this may be one you want the hard copy for because the switch between fantasy and reality was VERY confusing and I never grasped where exactly we were in the story. (Note: The narration is AMAZING, I just think the content of the story may be less confusing when read physically...)
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However, the end is full of unpredictable twists that I greatly appreciate in a thriller! So I absolutely recommend Mirrorland, just be ready to pay super close attention so you don't miss anything!
.
If I were to review Mirrorland in one sentence: Confusing but intriguing with a BOMB ending.
.
But it's hard to review Mirrorland because ultimately, I recognize that this book is well-crafted, well-written, full of intrigue, and very twisty - but OMG is it confusing! As much as I love audiobooks, this may be one you want the hard copy for because the switch between fantasy and reality was VERY confusing and I never grasped where exactly we were in the story. (Note: The narration is AMAZING, I just think the content of the story may be less confusing when read physically...)
.
However, the end is full of unpredictable twists that I greatly appreciate in a thriller! So I absolutely recommend Mirrorland, just be ready to pay super close attention so you don't miss anything!
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
3.5/5 - Thank you so much to Netgalley and Gallery Books for the arc of The Soulmate Equation! GIVE ME ALL THE CHRISTINA LAUREN!
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What I love about The Soulmate Equation:
- The premise! This is such a fun idea - basically the story is centered around a match-making app that allows DNA to dictate compatibility. I loved the whole "science" behind the app and could see it happening in real life!
- Leading man River Pena! New book boyfriend alert, y'all! This man is a bonafide hottie with a brain to boot!
- ALL THE GILMORE GIRL vibes! I got a lot of them and I was here for it!
- The friendship between our MC, Jess, and her bff Fizzy. This is friendship goals. I love seeing women supporting women!
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While this isn't my favorite CLo book, I still found it extremely entertaining with so many lol moments and good chemistry between the mains. If you love rom-coms and Christina Lauren, definitely do not skip this book!
.
What I love about The Soulmate Equation:
- The premise! This is such a fun idea - basically the story is centered around a match-making app that allows DNA to dictate compatibility. I loved the whole "science" behind the app and could see it happening in real life!
- Leading man River Pena! New book boyfriend alert, y'all! This man is a bonafide hottie with a brain to boot!
- ALL THE GILMORE GIRL vibes! I got a lot of them and I was here for it!
- The friendship between our MC, Jess, and her bff Fizzy. This is friendship goals. I love seeing women supporting women!
.
While this isn't my favorite CLo book, I still found it extremely entertaining with so many lol moments and good chemistry between the mains. If you love rom-coms and Christina Lauren, definitely do not skip this book!
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you so much to Berkley Pub for the free copy of Courage, My Love in exchange for an honest review.
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I want to preface this review by saying that three stars means I liked the book! Often, I think three star ratings get a bad rap, but for me, three stars indicate enjoying the book, but not one I will necessarily rave about nor re-read!
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This is a story of the Italian resistance to Nazi occupation and Fascism toward the end of World War II. Most of the WWII books I have read take place in France, the UK, or America, so reading from the Italian perspective was incredibly interesting. I really enjoyed how this book focused on womens' roles in the resistance - there was a lot of flexing female that I was here for! I also associate Italy with being part of the Axis, but there were so many citizens of the country who hated Mussolini and aided the allies in victory.
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This book just felt a little contrived and at times, way too slow. This is a debut, so I would absolutely be interested in reading more from the author, but the emotions that I felt the author was going for just were not there for me.
.
I want to preface this review by saying that three stars means I liked the book! Often, I think three star ratings get a bad rap, but for me, three stars indicate enjoying the book, but not one I will necessarily rave about nor re-read!
.
This is a story of the Italian resistance to Nazi occupation and Fascism toward the end of World War II. Most of the WWII books I have read take place in France, the UK, or America, so reading from the Italian perspective was incredibly interesting. I really enjoyed how this book focused on womens' roles in the resistance - there was a lot of flexing female that I was here for! I also associate Italy with being part of the Axis, but there were so many citizens of the country who hated Mussolini and aided the allies in victory.
.
This book just felt a little contrived and at times, way too slow. This is a debut, so I would absolutely be interested in reading more from the author, but the emotions that I felt the author was going for just were not there for me.
adventurous
reflective
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:
Yes
FINALLY FINISHED THIS BEAST! BOO YEAH!
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Still just freaking loving this series. A Clash of Kings is a bit slower than A Game of Thrones, but still very enjoyable. The series veers a bit from book two, but I still found the read more enjoyable having watched the series first (which is not often something I say about books!). Now, let us do some favorites:
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Favorites:
Character - Tyrion. He is my favorite in the first, and now the second! There is SO much Tyrion scheming in A Clash of Kings and I am here for it. I love his wit and his good heart. Tyrion is a character that really makes you think, and one you can't help but cheer for.
Scene - Reek revealing himself as Ramsay Snow (Bolton). This was just eerie AF! And I LOVED IT AND I AM HERE FOR IT!
Wolf - Ghost! What a good boy staying by Jon's side, even north of the wall!
Stark - Even though I love Arya, Sansa is my girl during this book. Her character evolves so much in A Clash of Kings. She's not the twitterpated girl she was in the first book. And when she sings her song to The Hound, you get a glimpse of how fierce she can and will be.
Line - “When you tear out a man's tongue, you are not proving him a liar, you're only telling the world that you fear what he might say.”
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On to book three!
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Still just freaking loving this series. A Clash of Kings is a bit slower than A Game of Thrones, but still very enjoyable. The series veers a bit from book two, but I still found the read more enjoyable having watched the series first (which is not often something I say about books!). Now, let us do some favorites:
.
Favorites:
Character - Tyrion. He is my favorite in the first, and now the second! There is SO much Tyrion scheming in A Clash of Kings and I am here for it. I love his wit and his good heart. Tyrion is a character that really makes you think, and one you can't help but cheer for.
Scene - Reek revealing himself as Ramsay Snow (Bolton). This was just eerie AF! And I LOVED IT AND I AM HERE FOR IT!
Wolf - Ghost! What a good boy staying by Jon's side, even north of the wall!
Stark - Even though I love Arya, Sansa is my girl during this book. Her character evolves so much in A Clash of Kings. She's not the twitterpated girl she was in the first book. And when she sings her song to The Hound, you get a glimpse of how fierce she can and will be.
Line - “When you tear out a man's tongue, you are not proving him a liar, you're only telling the world that you fear what he might say.”
.
On to book three!
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A super fun sequel to beloved Fable - I really, really enjoyed Namesake! This is fast-paced with more world-building than in Fable, and a look into Isolde's past, as well as many other family secrets. Huge thank you to Macmillan Audio for this ALC! The narration is fantastic.
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What did I enjoy most? Saint. I freaking love the heck out of that man. And the father/daughter relationship is one that hit me in all the feels!
This is a MUST READ!
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What did I enjoy most? Saint. I freaking love the heck out of that man. And the father/daughter relationship is one that hit me in all the feels!
This is a MUST READ!