sarahmae531's reviews
118 reviews

One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle

emotional hopeful reflective medium-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

3.75

A good book, definitely not one for you if you need realistic plots…
I’m always a sucker for a mother daughter story, and almost wish it was even more prevalent. I did find the time jumping to be very sudden at first, there was a little lead up to it but all of a sudden Katy’s mother at 30 is there. But granted, I’m not sure how else you would introduce that twist. 
Overall, a sweet book, definitely made me tear up a few times. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent and Infidelity

Moderate: Cancer

A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

A beautiful way to wrap up this duology. Across both books there were many scenes that I laughed out loud at as Mosscap learns more about humans.  

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

A beautiful book, perfectly wrapped up in the end. 

Seven Days in June by Tia Williams

emotional hopeful medium-paced

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

3.5

Loved watching Shane and Eva’s relationship ebb and flow. Felt very natural and realistic. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Sexual content, Mental illness, Gun violence, Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Chronic illness, Self harm, Alcoholism, and Murder

Minor: Racial slurs

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center

emotional funny 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? It's complicated

4.5

Super sweet romance. Loved that she was the bodyguard instead of him. I fell in love with Jack’s family, and found the romance to be really realistic. The classic “third act romance book conflict” also wasn’t from the usual miscommunication trope, which I appreciated. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, and Cancer

Moderate: Gun violence, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail

In Five Years by Rebecca Serle

emotional sad medium-paced

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

2.0

Nothing says I love my best friend like

sleeping with her fiancé a week after she dies of cancer.

I literally have nothing else to say on the matter. 💀

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Cancer, Death, Terminal illness, and Medical content

Moderate: Miscarriage

Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

5.0

Loved this book!! Needed a good romance and this was just the one.
Such a sweet story, loved the slow burn of it taking place over a year. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Death and Car accident

Unretouchable by Sofia Szamosi

hopeful reflective medium-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

3.0

A quick read, enjoyed the art style, nice and important message. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Sexism, and Fatphobia

Dear Miss Metropolitan by Carolyn Ferrell

dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

I thought the storytelling style of this book was interesting. It jumped around a lot, which was a little difficult listening as an audio book. 
Obviously it’s a very heartbreaking story, but I found it hard to connect with the characters, which I feel terrible saying. But I feel like we didn’t learn about the girls individually enough for me to grow to love them, a lot of the focus was on the people around them and just the fact that they are the Victim Girls. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Abortion, Kidnapping, Sexual assault, Violence, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Rape

Moderate: Homophobia

Happy Place by Emily Henry

emotional hopeful lighthearted 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

4.75

Another great book by Emily Henry!! Had so many moments and plot points that caused my heart to ache. Loved Harriet and Wyn’s relationship and their chosen family. Reminds me so much of my friends’ annual cabin trips. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol and Sexual content

Moderate: Pregnancy and Death of parent