sarahkorn's reviews
141 reviews

Such a Bad Influence by Olivia Muenter

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

3.5

This is a hard one for me because I love Olivia and her podcast, but I'm not sure if this one was for me. I'm not a big thriller reader in general so that could be part of it, and I just think writing about the internet (and things happening on the internet) is tricky, because it can require a certain amount of internet literacy from the reader and not everyone is on the same algorithm. Not to mention, as evidenced in the book, the internet is largely not grounded in reality.

The book was largely dialogue, internal or external, and there wasn't a lot happening to ground the reader. Lots of telling, not showing. I actually think the road trip out west in the last third of the book was probably the most compelling, it just took a while to get there. The twist at the end seemed tacked on, I wasn't like "ah ha! This illuminated a lot!"

Idk, there were parts of this book I think were great -- the message about child influencers, for one -- I just think it was missing a lot of the things I look for in a 5* book.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Go to review page

4.5

The Second Chance Hotel by Sierra Godfrey

Go to review page

Did not finish book.
I really wanted an international escapism read, and I usually try to get a little farther before I DNF but even barring throwing a mug at her ex's head, the FMC had too many strikes against her right off the bat I just didn't think I could push through when there are so many other books out there to read.

Skipping her best friend's wedding because she needed a vacation, and needed it to last three months? Not caring that her parents are divorcing because she's busy in Europe and her dad was an asshole anyway? No sympathy for her mother, at the very least? I just realized there was no way I could connect with this character, she was too self absorbed and unpleasant in too few pages, and it was not worth my time.
On Our Best Behavior: The Seven Deadly Sins and the Price Women Pay to Be Good by Elise Loehnen

Go to review page

Did not finish book.
I feel like someone a little more plugged in would be able to have a more interesting analysis of these concepts, but it read like it was trying to be the new Lean In. I'm not saying her points don't hold water, they're just not particularly novel if you are paying attention at all. And the inclusion of the 7 deadly sins made it a little bit preachy even if it was technically right. But I guess this has to be mind blowing for somebody, or it wouldn't be published!
The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren

Go to review page

medium-paced

3.75

I have liked other Christina Lauren books but this one I was mid on. The premise is creative but kinda a reach. The West vs Liam plot device could have been edited out entirely. I didn't buy that the leads lived together amicably for two years and somehow still barely knew each other. Then in what seems like no time at all, they're obsessed with each other and having ravenous sex for what felt like 100 pages. I like the smut, but it was very much lacking for me in the romance department.
This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub

Go to review page

challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense fast-paced

5.0

I knew this book would be sad and was kind of on the fence originally. I didn't understand how sad or how much I'd end up loving this book. I had to set it down multiple times in the last 50 pages in order to weep profusely, yet I didn't want it to end.
The Bride Test by Helen Hoang

Go to review page

dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

5.0

Helen Hoang is brilliant. This book is lighthearted and thought provoking, sexy and sweet. Totally bingeable, and I love the neurospicy love story representation. I haven't encountered a more loveable pair of leads for a long time.
Radical Friendship: Seven Ways to Love Yourself and Find Your People in an Unjust World by Kate Johnson

Go to review page

Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
It was fine, just wasn't expecting it to be so much about Buddhism. I'm not against it, and the information is still widely applicable, but it seemed to be written with a specific audience in mind that I'm not a part of, so it didn't really click.
Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas

Go to review page

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

3.5

I don't know how to rate this book. I liked it, I guess? Spicy. Likeable cast of female characters, if a bit flat. However, the last 20 pages (barring the epilogue) was by far the most interesting part of the book, which really highlighted how...meh...the rest of it was. Maybe this brand of historical romance is not for me.
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative lighthearted reflective sad tense fast-paced

5.0

Fast, juicy read. Jennette McCurdy is a talented writer. She never minimized or hid her abuse, the way she tells it it's clear as day, yet she managed to tell her truth with humor and vivid detail, and I could picture every scene. I felt sad for Jennette but felt her resilience throughout the entire story. Overall this book deals with tough moments but is not particularly sad or dark -- still, check the trigger warnings on this one.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings