sincerelykiwi's reviews
585 reviews

Chouette by Claire Oshetsky

challenging emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

1.0

I hated this. I tried to like it and stuck it out instead of DNFing but it didn’t get better to me. It was overrun with metaphors that made it hard for me to understand. If I ever read “owl-baby” again it would be too soon.

How to Kill a Guy in Ten Ways by Eve Kellman
Did not finish book. Stopped at 47%.

I don’t know if I’m just burnt out on murdering heroines but I just couldn’t finish it. The characters were kind of boring and I couldn’t follow why the main character’s thought process.

Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding

adventurous funny fast-paced

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

3.0

The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monika Kim

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.25

I liked it but didn’t love it. It read like a YA novel which isn’t bad but not what I was expecting. I think because the main character was so young it was unavoidable.

Interesting Facts About Space by Emily Austin

emotional funny 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? Yes

4.25

I liked this more than EITRWSBD and I was surprised by that. I love that a queer, neurodivergent, mentally ill woman was the main character because the layers and understanding the layers made for an entertaining yet eye-opening read.
I will say that the author’s infatuation with true crime was a bit of a turn off but I understood. Women tend to watch and listen to true crime because we’re more often than not the victim so we watch for clues on what to look out for or how to get out of it. 

The Second Chance Store by Lauren Bravo

adventurous emotional funny slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

I lived the chapter interludes about objects found at charity shops. This was such a good depiction of how grief of a teenager/child affects people differently. You never think you would have to bury your child on your brother so young until you’re at the funeral.

The Wedding People by Alison Espach

adventurous emotional funny 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

4.5

Losing It by Emma Rathbone

lighthearted 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? Yes

3.5

If you’ve never been a virgin past when it was acceptable to lose your virginity, I’m afraid you may not like it. I found it relatable because being perpetually single you look around and ask yourself “what’s wrong with me” or “why can’t that happen to me”. You can’t really stop thinking about it especially with how society frames sex and relationships as so important. 
The main character was selfish but she’s also very lost and unsure of who she is. I liked this more than I thought. 

Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel

adventurous emotional funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

When your mother is your biggest opp. I’m glad Tita and Pedro got their happy ending together. 

Pretending by Holly Bourne

emotional funny reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

This was much better than I was expecting, but I’ve found that I love Holly Bourne’s works. She is great at writing about the universal woman experience. It’s crazy how when you see something written out you realize how much you relate to it and that you aren’t alone. I’m gonna have to read more of her because it’s just nice to be noticed.