santreads's reviews
842 reviews

If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin

hopeful sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Baldwin is BRILLIANT

Sweat and Soap, Vol. 1 by Kintetsu Yamada

funny lighthearted fast-paced

2.5

This was recommended to me by a booktuber as a really cute, steamy book and it honestly was pitched way better than the manga actually was. So...

But it was fine, honestly. The main guy felt a little too...excitable for my taste but I did like how he felt very in tune to the girl's emotions and insecurities. Twas nice. 

Wanted a quick light-hearted read and I guess did deliver but meh.

The Honjin Murders by Seishi Yokomizo

lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

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

2.0

I'm sure this was all the rage back in the day when this came out but me in 2022 was not very impressed. 

The build up was cool but I got annoyed by the way the ending unfolded. Not just in terms of the plot device used, which by the way, the author called out in the book while saying "it is annoying to some people isn't it, when authors do that in mystery novels" and then goes and just does that. So 🤷🏻‍♀️

But also I didn't like some other bits about women and mental health. Sure, I do understand that its of its time and stuff but to let it hinge on that? Meh. 

Still did give me solid Agatha aunty vibes. So, that's nice. :) 

Winter in Sokcho by Elisa Shua Dusapin

mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.5

lovely in terms of atmosphere, interesting writing but nothing really happens in the book? so...

The Friend by Sigrid Nunez

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

You and Me on Vacation by Emily Henry

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted relaxing sad medium-paced

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

5.0

This melted my heart and made my heart race and also called me fucking single in 400 different languages but I loved it.

if you're a fan of rom-coms, this is going to be your vibe.

My Purple Scented Novel by Ian McEwan

dark lighthearted tense fast-paced

4.0

Ian McEwan always does "the fucked up shit" so well. I hope he gets therapy often.

Intimacies by Katie Kitamura

emotional lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

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

3.5

More of a 3.5 star which is a shame because this really had so much potential. I really liked the way this book was described and how it felt so immersive. It was some really interesting writing too, but it just kind of ... dropped off somewhere. 

Just Haven't Met You Yet by Sophie Cousens

adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

4.0

Heartbreak for Hire by Sonia Hartl

lighthearted medium-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

1.75

DNF @ 52% because I have a life I want to live and it's too short reading about idiotic characters who are rude, annoying, weirdly sexist and just people I don't give a flying fuck about. 

That was rude, but I'm honestly so disappointed by this book. This was a highly anticipated release for me because the concept sounded so fun. I love an enemies to lovers trope, especially at work. But the more I read it, the more annoyed I got by it. 

The concept of "Heartbreak for Hire" sounded cool and interesting initally but the more I read it, the more vile and mean it sounded. It didn't help that the CEO sounded like Umbridge and Mother Gothel put into one person. 

The second, the main character is supposed to be good at her job but all I can see is her being absolutely terrible. Not only at her job but also to her mother, who sure is a piece of work, but Jesus the DISRESPECT. The south asian in me can't. Also, the "woe is me" "oh i just really want to be an artist" thing got old realllll fast. 

So yeah. DNF. Really sad this didn't work for me. Somebody just please tell me what happened in the end.