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she_loves_to_read's Reviews (81)
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was my first outing with Dervla, and what an introduction it was! I love stories that focus on societal issues and poses moral questions that really get you thinking. Within Nina's story, Dervla does this in spades.
Posing the question of, as a parent, how far would you go to protect your child of wrongdoing? And shining a relevant and important spotlight on the impact that social media plays on criminal investigations and justice.
The story is brilliantly plotted, well thought out, and executed perfectly. With a writing style and pace that cannot fail at drawing the reader right into the heart of it. Eliciting every single emotion that readers crave in a story like this one.
As a parent who watched the Gabby Petito case unfold and conclude. Reading the pov from all parents in Nina's story provided me with another level of insight and understanding of the impact that a case like this has on their lives and the many different ways in which social media can change the course in the blink of an eye.
The characters were realistic and relatable. Providing an intense, emotional, and multi-faceted view of the unfolding drama.
Although we find out the crux of the story fairly early on in the story. It doesn't detract from the story in any way. In fact, it's really clever on Dervla's part because it massively enhances the reading experience and the message that Dervla is trying to deliver.
If you love a page turning story with a unique perspective, that will keep you up all night. Then this is a book worthy of a place on your tbr.
Dervla has effortlessly made her way onto my auto-buy author list, and I've already ordered some of her back catalogue!
If you can't tell already. I LOVED it!
Posing the question of, as a parent, how far would you go to protect your child of wrongdoing? And shining a relevant and important spotlight on the impact that social media plays on criminal investigations and justice.
The story is brilliantly plotted, well thought out, and executed perfectly. With a writing style and pace that cannot fail at drawing the reader right into the heart of it. Eliciting every single emotion that readers crave in a story like this one.
As a parent who watched the Gabby Petito case unfold and conclude. Reading the pov from all parents in Nina's story provided me with another level of insight and understanding of the impact that a case like this has on their lives and the many different ways in which social media can change the course in the blink of an eye.
The characters were realistic and relatable. Providing an intense, emotional, and multi-faceted view of the unfolding drama.
Although we find out the crux of the story fairly early on in the story. It doesn't detract from the story in any way. In fact, it's really clever on Dervla's part because it massively enhances the reading experience and the message that Dervla is trying to deliver.
If you love a page turning story with a unique perspective, that will keep you up all night. Then this is a book worthy of a place on your tbr.
Dervla has effortlessly made her way onto my auto-buy author list, and I've already ordered some of her back catalogue!
If you can't tell already. I LOVED it!
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
In her debut novel, Susie introduces us to 3 very different characters with equally different personalities. Whose lives and paths are inextricably interwoven after one shocking experience brings them together. Ending with an equally shocking event that tears them apart. Leaving them evaluating what's really important in life.
Despite their many perceived differences, there are many more things that they have in common. Including living under a cloud of sacrifice, regret, language barriers, cultural differences, and broken and future dreams whilst navigating familial and societal expectations. Each of them striving to build the lives that dreams are made of. Only to find that history, complex family dynamics, generational trauma, and the secrets and lies that they are running from are causing them to make choices and take actions that are severely impacting those perceived ideas and dreams. Ultimately, taking them on a journey of self-discovery to find and work out what the important things are in life.
Told via 3 pov's and across dual timelines, a detailed, clever, and multi-level storyline, with well structures, developed, relatable, and realistic characters. Susi's debut is a powerful, emotive, and thoight-provoking read that will leave you reaching for the tissues.
Despite their many perceived differences, there are many more things that they have in common. Including living under a cloud of sacrifice, regret, language barriers, cultural differences, and broken and future dreams whilst navigating familial and societal expectations. Each of them striving to build the lives that dreams are made of. Only to find that history, complex family dynamics, generational trauma, and the secrets and lies that they are running from are causing them to make choices and take actions that are severely impacting those perceived ideas and dreams. Ultimately, taking them on a journey of self-discovery to find and work out what the important things are in life.
Told via 3 pov's and across dual timelines, a detailed, clever, and multi-level storyline, with well structures, developed, relatable, and realistic characters. Susi's debut is a powerful, emotive, and thoight-provoking read that will leave you reaching for the tissues.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
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:
N/A
Freya is a wonderful storyteller, and in this beautifully written, coming of age tale of family, love, friendship, kindness, and community. Freya draws on her own life as a Jewish person growing up in 1980s/90s Britain. Even going so far as using the same city, Manchester, her real uni digs, and her own experiences of being a student there.
Despite the confronting issues included in the story, Freya portrays them realistically, compassionately, and sensitively. Which really adds depth to the reader experience.
It's a very character driven story. Told over dual timelines. With one following a 6 year old Eadie as she navigates and views life, love, change, prejudice, bullying, death, and growth. With another showing Eadie in her current timeline and how being at a crossroads in her life, she returns to her memories and experiences in order to process her thoughts, feelings, and history to be able to move forward into the next period of her life.
Through her atmospheric and compelling writing, Freya writes an emotive story and vividly emits a great picture of what life was like through the ages of Eadie and her cast of well developed and written supporting characters. Exploring how our experiences growing up shape our personalities as adults in a poignant and relatable way.
With a few twists and turns along the way abs a tear perking but satisfying ending. Freya continues to cement her place on my auto-buy authors list!
Despite the confronting issues included in the story, Freya portrays them realistically, compassionately, and sensitively. Which really adds depth to the reader experience.
It's a very character driven story. Told over dual timelines. With one following a 6 year old Eadie as she navigates and views life, love, change, prejudice, bullying, death, and growth. With another showing Eadie in her current timeline and how being at a crossroads in her life, she returns to her memories and experiences in order to process her thoughts, feelings, and history to be able to move forward into the next period of her life.
Through her atmospheric and compelling writing, Freya writes an emotive story and vividly emits a great picture of what life was like through the ages of Eadie and her cast of well developed and written supporting characters. Exploring how our experiences growing up shape our personalities as adults in a poignant and relatable way.
With a few twists and turns along the way abs a tear perking but satisfying ending. Freya continues to cement her place on my auto-buy authors list!
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Set in a small town on the beautiful Norfolk coast. Birdspotting In A Small Town is a haunting and unsettling read.
Told from the POV of its two main protagonists, Fran and Tad. Sophie has created an atmospheric, insightful, and gritty tale featuring family drama, lies, deceit, suspense, intrigue, violence, murder, mental health issues, revelations, twists, turns and a chilling mystery with well developed and multifaceted characters to help tell the story.
I did like the short chapters, as it helped the story flow well.
However, for me, it was a really slow burn for me, and I didn't find that connection that I was looking for.
But that doesn't and should detract from the great things that Sophie has done with the story, and it will be a fabulous read for those thriller/mystery lovers out there who like dark and eerie reads.
This was just one that didn't quite give me the connection I was looking for.
Told from the POV of its two main protagonists, Fran and Tad. Sophie has created an atmospheric, insightful, and gritty tale featuring family drama, lies, deceit, suspense, intrigue, violence, murder, mental health issues, revelations, twists, turns and a chilling mystery with well developed and multifaceted characters to help tell the story.
I did like the short chapters, as it helped the story flow well.
However, for me, it was a really slow burn for me, and I didn't find that connection that I was looking for.
But that doesn't and should detract from the great things that Sophie has done with the story, and it will be a fabulous read for those thriller/mystery lovers out there who like dark and eerie reads.
This was just one that didn't quite give me the connection I was looking for.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
In her brutally honey and poignant memoir, Finley documents her chaotic, messy, traumatic, and incredibly unbelievable journey with candour, courage, bravery, and even dead pan humour and sarcastic wit.
Charting her journey battling dissociative amnesia, relationship trauma & breakdown, complex childhood trauma, psychosis, dysfunctional relationships, cancer, manipulation, Stockholm syndrome, and exploring her copious mental health issues that boughted every aspect of her life . Finley explores the highs, lows, causes, effects, answers, thoughts, feelings, fight for survival, access to help, and healing processes in a shocking but realistic and relatable way.
As a trauma and abuse survivor. I can honestly say that I feel much less alone and much more confident in the fact that it's ok to think and feel the things that I'm thinking and feeling. That my mental, physical, and emotional health is a constant work in progress. But also, that the abuse doesn't define who I am as a person and doesn't make me any less worthy of love, life support, and happiness.
Lovebroken is an important learning tool, and more importantly, a shining light and voice for trauma survivors the world over.
Charting her journey battling dissociative amnesia, relationship trauma & breakdown, complex childhood trauma, psychosis, dysfunctional relationships, cancer, manipulation, Stockholm syndrome, and exploring her copious mental health issues that boughted every aspect of her life . Finley explores the highs, lows, causes, effects, answers, thoughts, feelings, fight for survival, access to help, and healing processes in a shocking but realistic and relatable way.
As a trauma and abuse survivor. I can honestly say that I feel much less alone and much more confident in the fact that it's ok to think and feel the things that I'm thinking and feeling. That my mental, physical, and emotional health is a constant work in progress. But also, that the abuse doesn't define who I am as a person and doesn't make me any less worthy of love, life support, and happiness.
Lovebroken is an important learning tool, and more importantly, a shining light and voice for trauma survivors the world over.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
I love stories that shine a spotlight on often taboo but relevant issues that we face in society and in his brilliant debut featuring the brand new dynamic detective duo comprising of DI Sarah Hunter and DS Ted Selitto. Robin does just that!
At 672 pages long, it is on the chunkier side. But with a steady pace that builds alongside an intricate but perfectly executed, compelling, and riveting plotline. It's for from a mammoth task to read it.
Set mainly in the beautiful county of Kent, with connections along the East Sussex Coast and Cornwall. Then, across to the Black Sea in Eastern Europe. It's safe to say that you're definitely in for a scenic adventure.
But behing the seemingly peaceful facade lies an ugly and violent underworld network of ruthless gangs who kidnap and traffick innocent and vulnerable Eastern European girls into the country to sexually exploit them. Keeping them in line through extreme violence and the threat of death. When an all-out war is being waged between two rival gangs erupts. Hunter and Selitto face a race against time to get to the heart of it before anymore lives are lost.
Robin has effortlessly created an action-packed and realistic storyline with a whole raft of supporting characters. Who, along with his descriptive and animated writing style. Really taps into and emotionally and starkly highlights the greed and ruthless lengths the gangs are willing to go to in order to reign supreme. Whilst also bringing the hopelessness, helplessness, desolation, fear, uncertainty, and suffering that the victims feel to fore. Eliciting a sense of empathy, sympathy, anger, outrage, and justice seeking in his readers.
With clear research, short chapters, plenty of intrigue, suspense, and a POV of both the criminals and the police. Robin has created a fantastically authentic and binge-worthy crime/thriller series worthy of a place on your tbr. With immense potential to become a successful TV series. I'm coming to the end of book 2 and can safely say it's just as good, if not better than the first!
At 672 pages long, it is on the chunkier side. But with a steady pace that builds alongside an intricate but perfectly executed, compelling, and riveting plotline. It's for from a mammoth task to read it.
Set mainly in the beautiful county of Kent, with connections along the East Sussex Coast and Cornwall. Then, across to the Black Sea in Eastern Europe. It's safe to say that you're definitely in for a scenic adventure.
But behing the seemingly peaceful facade lies an ugly and violent underworld network of ruthless gangs who kidnap and traffick innocent and vulnerable Eastern European girls into the country to sexually exploit them. Keeping them in line through extreme violence and the threat of death. When an all-out war is being waged between two rival gangs erupts. Hunter and Selitto face a race against time to get to the heart of it before anymore lives are lost.
Robin has effortlessly created an action-packed and realistic storyline with a whole raft of supporting characters. Who, along with his descriptive and animated writing style. Really taps into and emotionally and starkly highlights the greed and ruthless lengths the gangs are willing to go to in order to reign supreme. Whilst also bringing the hopelessness, helplessness, desolation, fear, uncertainty, and suffering that the victims feel to fore. Eliciting a sense of empathy, sympathy, anger, outrage, and justice seeking in his readers.
With clear research, short chapters, plenty of intrigue, suspense, and a POV of both the criminals and the police. Robin has created a fantastically authentic and binge-worthy crime/thriller series worthy of a place on your tbr. With immense potential to become a successful TV series. I'm coming to the end of book 2 and can safely say it's just as good, if not better than the first!
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
No
36 books in, and Jill has yet to write a story I haven't loved!
The Wedding Of The Year is a heartwarming, feel-good story of love, friendship, kinship, secrets, lies, twists, turns, hope, loss, past heartbreak, hope, forgiveness, second chances and new beginnings. Set vividly in the beautiful county of Cornwall.
As is always the case with Jill's stories, it's brilliantly plotted and well written. There are a fair few characters within the storyline. But every one of them has a purpose and are slotted in perfectly.
It's a female lead story featuring four fabulously relatable characters. There's Freya, a bride to be who starts the story off with a non wedding who decides that the groom isn't who she sees her future with. Proceeding to delay things as long as possible in order to try and end things for good.
Ruby is the vicars wife who finds out her husband has been having an affair and unwittingly falls into the arms of a stranger who keeps popping up in her everyday life, creating a very sweet 'will they? Won't they?' narrative.
Lottie comes face to face with a familiar face from the past. But can she reignite their relationship and find love when their families are at war over past hurts. And finally, Iris, who is a good friend and an eager matchmaker who is adamant that she is a happy singleton. But can a tense meeting with a handsome stranger over the contents of a skip pull the rug from under her feet?
It's a fantastic read. Perfect for a cosy night in or an afternoon around the pool, and I'm eagerly awaiting the next!!!
The Wedding Of The Year is a heartwarming, feel-good story of love, friendship, kinship, secrets, lies, twists, turns, hope, loss, past heartbreak, hope, forgiveness, second chances and new beginnings. Set vividly in the beautiful county of Cornwall.
As is always the case with Jill's stories, it's brilliantly plotted and well written. There are a fair few characters within the storyline. But every one of them has a purpose and are slotted in perfectly.
It's a female lead story featuring four fabulously relatable characters. There's Freya, a bride to be who starts the story off with a non wedding who decides that the groom isn't who she sees her future with. Proceeding to delay things as long as possible in order to try and end things for good.
Ruby is the vicars wife who finds out her husband has been having an affair and unwittingly falls into the arms of a stranger who keeps popping up in her everyday life, creating a very sweet 'will they? Won't they?' narrative.
Lottie comes face to face with a familiar face from the past. But can she reignite their relationship and find love when their families are at war over past hurts. And finally, Iris, who is a good friend and an eager matchmaker who is adamant that she is a happy singleton. But can a tense meeting with a handsome stranger over the contents of a skip pull the rug from under her feet?
It's a fantastic read. Perfect for a cosy night in or an afternoon around the pool, and I'm eagerly awaiting the next!!!
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
In Memory Of Us is a beautifully written, emotional, poignant, powerful, and thought-provoking story following twins Selina and Zora as they navigate rampant racism, tragedy, grief, mental health issues, sexuality and illegitimate children post Windrush generation in 1950's/60's Britain.
The story is told from each twins' pov with Zora's chapters focusing on her life as it was. With Selina's story focusing on her life as it is now whilst in the early throes of dementia. Going backwards and forwards as she tries to make sense of her old memories whilst having to confront the tragedy that befell her family after one fateful night and the far-reaching repercussions that affected the family as a whole and individually. Whilst trying to function in the new, vulnerable, confusing, and uncertain world she is facing now.
Jacqueline writes with honesty, validity, and insightfulness. Effortlessly capturing the thoughts, feelings, and emotions of each character, how they think, and the way in which they face the challenges that life throws at them and the reasoning behind it. Culminating in a heartwrenching ending that leaves you in awe of the way in which the brain can create memories and illusions in order to allow us to keep functioning and moving forward.
Jacqueline is a natural storyteller and handles the subjects contained within with honesty relatability and sensitivity. Creating a feeling of sympathy and empathy in her readers.
A story that will stay with me and a highly recommended read from me.
The story is told from each twins' pov with Zora's chapters focusing on her life as it was. With Selina's story focusing on her life as it is now whilst in the early throes of dementia. Going backwards and forwards as she tries to make sense of her old memories whilst having to confront the tragedy that befell her family after one fateful night and the far-reaching repercussions that affected the family as a whole and individually. Whilst trying to function in the new, vulnerable, confusing, and uncertain world she is facing now.
Jacqueline writes with honesty, validity, and insightfulness. Effortlessly capturing the thoughts, feelings, and emotions of each character, how they think, and the way in which they face the challenges that life throws at them and the reasoning behind it. Culminating in a heartwrenching ending that leaves you in awe of the way in which the brain can create memories and illusions in order to allow us to keep functioning and moving forward.
Jacqueline is a natural storyteller and handles the subjects contained within with honesty relatability and sensitivity. Creating a feeling of sympathy and empathy in her readers.
A story that will stay with me and a highly recommended read from me.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
With a gripping storyline, vast array of brilliantly constructed and written characters, excellent pace, murder, kidnap, lies, deceit, affairs, organised crime, police corruption, child abuse, plenty of red herrings, shocking plot twists and a nail biting climax. Mari Hannah's 9th book in the Kate Daniels series is one I couldn't put down.
It was actually my first outing with Kate, and all I can think of is, 'How am I SO late to the party?'.
Kate is a diligent, objective, fair, trustworthy, thorough, professional, and conscientious investigator and a loyal and caring friend, colleague, and partner. Which is really highlighted in this particular story, due to the fact that she is tasked with trying to finally solve the murder of her best friend. Whilst also trying to piece together the recent murders of the two men who were the prime suspects of her murder. I really love the dynamics between Kate, her team, and those closest to her. They work really well together, and each one brings a different dynamic and depth to the storyline.
Mari's writing is fluid, atmospheric, vividly descriptive, and, quite frankly, easy to get totally lost in. Every time I thought I had worked it all out. Mari threw in a curve ball. Leaving me scrapping my theory altogether and just follow where the story took me blindly. I wasn't disappointed!
It's definitely a story that can be read as a stand-alone. But u can also say with confidence that once you've read one, you'll want to read the whole series. I know I will be!!
I'm really excited to see that the series is currently in development for TV.
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
"The public perception of autistics is so heavily based on the stereotype of men who love trains or science, that many women miss out on diagnosis and are thought of as studious instead."
In her unapologetically frank memoir, Fern takes us on her journey to an autism diagnosis, and it's far from an easy one. She highlights the vast misconceptions, misunderstandings, and challenges that she faces from being a very small child. Growing up in a world that was (and still is) woefully unequipped to deal with, not just mental health matters, but neurodivergency as a while. Especially for the female population.
Detailing her struggles in understanding why she saw the world so differently from others around her and how the lack of understanding, management, and more often than not, neglect from the very people who were meant to love, support and protect her. Causing her physical, mental, and emotional health to spiral out of control. Dangerously veering from one car crash to another, in an attempt to navigate a world that is more often than not, blind to the fact that there just isn't a one size fits all approach to life. And that by following that narrative and not providing funding, research, support, awareness, training and inclusively in all sectors. It's causing a great deal of harm to those most in need in society.
Fern's story is brutal, honest, shocking, thought-provoking, funny, endearing, inspirational, heart-wrenching, heartwarming, empowering, relatable, and everything in between. It's a story with an important message that needs to be told, heard, and listened to. Especially by the powers that be, medical professionals, mental health sectors, and educational settings the world over.
Lessons need to be learned, and I applaud Fern in speaking up and using her voice.
In her unapologetically frank memoir, Fern takes us on her journey to an autism diagnosis, and it's far from an easy one. She highlights the vast misconceptions, misunderstandings, and challenges that she faces from being a very small child. Growing up in a world that was (and still is) woefully unequipped to deal with, not just mental health matters, but neurodivergency as a while. Especially for the female population.
Detailing her struggles in understanding why she saw the world so differently from others around her and how the lack of understanding, management, and more often than not, neglect from the very people who were meant to love, support and protect her. Causing her physical, mental, and emotional health to spiral out of control. Dangerously veering from one car crash to another, in an attempt to navigate a world that is more often than not, blind to the fact that there just isn't a one size fits all approach to life. And that by following that narrative and not providing funding, research, support, awareness, training and inclusively in all sectors. It's causing a great deal of harm to those most in need in society.
Fern's story is brutal, honest, shocking, thought-provoking, funny, endearing, inspirational, heart-wrenching, heartwarming, empowering, relatable, and everything in between. It's a story with an important message that needs to be told, heard, and listened to. Especially by the powers that be, medical professionals, mental health sectors, and educational settings the world over.
Lessons need to be learned, and I applaud Fern in speaking up and using her voice.