Scan barcode
sarahflorimonte's reviews
31 reviews
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
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
4.0
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: ❤️Romance
Recommend: ✅
Ah, Sally and Noah…I loved this couple so, so much. “Romantic Comedy” follows Sally, a writer at an SNL-like show “The Night Owls” and Noah, a music superstar who hosts “TNO” once in 2018. Sally and Noah click and the story develops from there. Sally is extremely sarcastic and funny, obviously as a TV comedy writer, and I myself laughing out loud multiple times.
This book spans a few years and is VERY pandemic related. If you’re not ready to read books about COVID yet, I would definitely skip this one. However, I LOVED these parts and I thought the author did a great job capturing that moment in time but being inside Sally’s hilarious mind, this stayed light and fun.
I am an absolute sucker for e-mail/text banter in a romance and I am completely obsessed with Sally and Noah’s banter.
However, this lost a star for me because a few parts dragged and there was a lot of exposition and dialogue about the TV show and everyone feelings that could have been shorter for me. But, overall I loved it!
Genre: ❤️Romance
Recommend: ✅
Ah, Sally and Noah…I loved this couple so, so much. “Romantic Comedy” follows Sally, a writer at an SNL-like show “The Night Owls” and Noah, a music superstar who hosts “TNO” once in 2018. Sally and Noah click and the story develops from there. Sally is extremely sarcastic and funny, obviously as a TV comedy writer, and I myself laughing out loud multiple times.
This book spans a few years and is VERY pandemic related. If you’re not ready to read books about COVID yet, I would definitely skip this one. However, I LOVED these parts and I thought the author did a great job capturing that moment in time but being inside Sally’s hilarious mind, this stayed light and fun.
I am an absolute sucker for e-mail/text banter in a romance and I am completely obsessed with Sally and Noah’s banter.
However, this lost a star for me because a few parts dragged and there was a lot of exposition and dialogue about the TV show and everyone feelings that could have been shorter for me. But, overall I loved it!
The Foxglove King by Hannah Whitten
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Genre: 🧙🏻♂️Fantasy
Recommend: ⚠️
Let me start off by saying I finished “The Foxglove King” in two days and I cannot wait to read the rest of this series in the future. That being said, I don’t think anyone that doesn’t already have a predisposition to liking fantasy will enjoy this one. There are fantasy books/series that I read that exclaim, “read this even if you don’t think you like fantasy”’ and this just isn’t that! The fantasy elements are HEAVY here and I had to re-read some passages multiple times to fully understand the rules of this world we were in. But, for me, all of that was worth it overall because I truly enjoyed the story an characters.
The story revolves around Lore; 23-year old who has the ability to harness Mortem, a substance that causes death. She finds herself becoming tangled in the royal family when her secret is discovered on the streets. Because this is a fantasy story with a female protagonist, she also finds herself in a little love triangle; but that romance is definitely not the main attraction here; it’s pretty tame and thankfully not too angsty.
Overall, if you love fantasy, I’d recommend. If you don’t love fantasy, skip it.
Genre: 🧙🏻♂️Fantasy
Recommend: ⚠️
Let me start off by saying I finished “The Foxglove King” in two days and I cannot wait to read the rest of this series in the future. That being said, I don’t think anyone that doesn’t already have a predisposition to liking fantasy will enjoy this one. There are fantasy books/series that I read that exclaim, “read this even if you don’t think you like fantasy”’ and this just isn’t that! The fantasy elements are HEAVY here and I had to re-read some passages multiple times to fully understand the rules of this world we were in. But, for me, all of that was worth it overall because I truly enjoyed the story an characters.
The story revolves around Lore; 23-year old who has the ability to harness Mortem, a substance that causes death. She finds herself becoming tangled in the royal family when her secret is discovered on the streets. Because this is a fantasy story with a female protagonist, she also finds herself in a little love triangle; but that romance is definitely not the main attraction here; it’s pretty tame and thankfully not too angsty.
Overall, if you love fantasy, I’d recommend. If you don’t love fantasy, skip it.
What the Hex by Jessica Clare
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Rating: 👻👻👻👻
Genre: ❤️Witchy Romance
Recommend: ✅
“What the Hex” is the sequel to “Go Hex Yourself”, which I read last October during my “Witchy Romance” phase. I enjoyed this second entry in what I hope will continue to be a series just as much as the first. You really have to be okay with witch silliness but these are adorable and fun!
Penny and Willem, the protagonists of this one, are polar opposites who find themselves working together as familiar and wizard. Their banter is adorable and I loved the light tropes here; both enemies to lovers and fake-dating but both are resolved quickly and the spice starts early and is excellent. The plot moved super quickly and was light and easy to follow.
Genre: ❤️Witchy Romance
Recommend: ✅
“What the Hex” is the sequel to “Go Hex Yourself”, which I read last October during my “Witchy Romance” phase. I enjoyed this second entry in what I hope will continue to be a series just as much as the first. You really have to be okay with witch silliness but these are adorable and fun!
Penny and Willem, the protagonists of this one, are polar opposites who find themselves working together as familiar and wizard. Their banter is adorable and I loved the light tropes here; both enemies to lovers and fake-dating but both are resolved quickly and the spice starts early and is excellent. The plot moved super quickly and was light and easy to follow.
One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.5
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Genre: ❤️Romance
Recommend: ✅
I probably shouldn’t say this as a book reviewer but…you should 100% go into “One True Loves” without knowing anything about it! 🤣 I loved it and was glad I only picked it out because I like Taylor Jenkins Reid without reading the plot first.
All I’ll say is, I cried multiple times, I loved the main character Emma and the only thing that I would have liked more of is spice but…that’s not what this one is about so I’ll accept it the way it is.
Genre: ❤️Romance
Recommend: ✅
I probably shouldn’t say this as a book reviewer but…you should 100% go into “One True Loves” without knowing anything about it! 🤣 I loved it and was glad I only picked it out because I like Taylor Jenkins Reid without reading the plot first.
All I’ll say is, I cried multiple times, I loved the main character Emma and the only thing that I would have liked more of is spice but…that’s not what this one is about so I’ll accept it the way it is.
The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Genre: 🕵️♂️Mystery
Recommend: ✅
“The Soulmate” was an awesome mystery that kept unwinding in new and unexpected ways as it went. I typically enjoy stories like this, where a marriage is at the heart of a story and this was no different.
The plot here is simple but unique; Pippa and Gabe are married with two small children. They live on a cliff that is a known suicide spot. One night, Pippa spots someone out by the cliff and Gabe goes out to assist and the woman ends up in the water below. But, of course, things aren’t what they seem and things being to unravel.
I *loved* every single chapter in this one and every twist and reveal. This was such a quick read for me because I needed to know all the little secrets!
Genre: 🕵️♂️Mystery
Recommend: ✅
“The Soulmate” was an awesome mystery that kept unwinding in new and unexpected ways as it went. I typically enjoy stories like this, where a marriage is at the heart of a story and this was no different.
The plot here is simple but unique; Pippa and Gabe are married with two small children. They live on a cliff that is a known suicide spot. One night, Pippa spots someone out by the cliff and Gabe goes out to assist and the woman ends up in the water below. But, of course, things aren’t what they seem and things being to unravel.
I *loved* every single chapter in this one and every twist and reveal. This was such a quick read for me because I needed to know all the little secrets!
His & Hers by Alice Feeney
challenging
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.5
ing: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Genre: 🔪 Thriller
Recommend: ✅
“His & Hers” was an AWESOME thriller that lost me right at the end, but I do wonder if it might really work for other people. The chapters switch back and forth between our two main characters, Jack and Anna, and the murderer of the story.
This one had so many twists and turns and just when I thought I knew what was happening, something else threw me off. The story revolves around a rash of murders taking place in a small English town that Jack and Anna both have ties too. The chapters are short and so many end in shocking ways that kept me wanting more.
I’m glad I read this and enjoyed the journey, literally gasping at points, just so frustrated by the end! I’d love someone else to read so I have someone to chat with. I will definitely be reading more Alice Feeney.
(As a side note, because of a subplot I absolutely do NOT recommend any new/expecting parents read this one.)
Genre: 🔪 Thriller
Recommend: ✅
“His & Hers” was an AWESOME thriller that lost me right at the end, but I do wonder if it might really work for other people. The chapters switch back and forth between our two main characters, Jack and Anna, and the murderer of the story.
This one had so many twists and turns and just when I thought I knew what was happening, something else threw me off. The story revolves around a rash of murders taking place in a small English town that Jack and Anna both have ties too. The chapters are short and so many end in shocking ways that kept me wanting more.
I’m glad I read this and enjoyed the journey, literally gasping at points, just so frustrated by the end! I’d love someone else to read so I have someone to chat with. I will definitely be reading more Alice Feeney.
(As a side note, because of a subplot I absolutely do NOT recommend any new/expecting parents read this one.)
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: 🖊️Literary Fiction
Recommend: ✅
Absolutely *loved* this heartwarming treasure of a book. When this book was pitched to me as our book club pick as “it’s about an old woman who takes care of an aquarium and forms a relationship with an octopus who also has point of view chapters”, I literally gave the biggest (tipsiest) side eye. But, my friend Natalia was right and I would love all of you to read this one too if you need a charming read.
I hesitate to give away a single plot point here but I will say that I adored every single character and plot point and there isn’t a single thing I would change about this book. Every beat was perfect. I adored the short, sporadic POV chapters from Marcellus, I was worried about them being cringy but they absolutely made the story.
This one is an absolute treasure.
Genre: 🖊️Literary Fiction
Recommend: ✅
Absolutely *loved* this heartwarming treasure of a book. When this book was pitched to me as our book club pick as “it’s about an old woman who takes care of an aquarium and forms a relationship with an octopus who also has point of view chapters”, I literally gave the biggest (tipsiest) side eye. But, my friend Natalia was right and I would love all of you to read this one too if you need a charming read.
I hesitate to give away a single plot point here but I will say that I adored every single character and plot point and there isn’t a single thing I would change about this book. Every beat was perfect. I adored the short, sporadic POV chapters from Marcellus, I was worried about them being cringy but they absolutely made the story.
This one is an absolute treasure.
Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: ❤️Romance
Recommend: ✅
Well this was right up my alley. I absolutely LOVE the “second chance” genre and this was *perfection* in that space.
“Funny You Should Ask” is about a female entertainment journalist who goes to profile a movie star and the end up spending a whirlwind weekend together. Chani and Gabe are both complicated and flawed in very real ways and their conflict felt very real in a way that some romances don’t. The plot spans ten years and switches between “Then” and “Now” which I really enjoyed especially because they are adults when they met so it aligned a little more with my current age. So many “second chance” books start in high school so this this more grown up story was a nice change of pace.
@elissa_sussman has another romance novel coming out this May that I immediately preordered upon finishing this one. No bigger recommendation then that!
Genre: ❤️Romance
Recommend: ✅
Well this was right up my alley. I absolutely LOVE the “second chance” genre and this was *perfection* in that space.
“Funny You Should Ask” is about a female entertainment journalist who goes to profile a movie star and the end up spending a whirlwind weekend together. Chani and Gabe are both complicated and flawed in very real ways and their conflict felt very real in a way that some romances don’t. The plot spans ten years and switches between “Then” and “Now” which I really enjoyed especially because they are adults when they met so it aligned a little more with my current age. So many “second chance” books start in high school so this this more grown up story was a nice change of pace.
@elissa_sussman has another romance novel coming out this May that I immediately preordered upon finishing this one. No bigger recommendation then that!
The Almost Sisters by Joshilyn Jackson
emotional
mysterious
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
3.5
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Genre: 🖊️Literary Fiction
Recommend: ✅
“The Almost Sisters” centers around Leia, who finds herself pregnant unexpectedly at the same time her grandmother suddenly needs her help in a small southern town. This book, while definitely not a thriller, had some fun twists and unexpected plot points.
There were a lot of fun relationships I really enjoyed; two old southern best friends, a niece and aunt, step-sisters and just general small town drama.
I would call this book “simple” but as an absolute compliment. It was emotional, but not too emotional, funny, but not hilarious and heartwarming, but not too sappy. Like your favorite meal, but not the the best meal you’ve ever had. I don’t know if “The Almost Sisters” will stay with me for a long time, but I really enjoyed reading it.
Genre: 🖊️Literary Fiction
Recommend: ✅
“The Almost Sisters” centers around Leia, who finds herself pregnant unexpectedly at the same time her grandmother suddenly needs her help in a small southern town. This book, while definitely not a thriller, had some fun twists and unexpected plot points.
There were a lot of fun relationships I really enjoyed; two old southern best friends, a niece and aunt, step-sisters and just general small town drama.
I would call this book “simple” but as an absolute compliment. It was emotional, but not too emotional, funny, but not hilarious and heartwarming, but not too sappy. Like your favorite meal, but not the the best meal you’ve ever had. I don’t know if “The Almost Sisters” will stay with me for a long time, but I really enjoyed reading it.