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sofia_bookishwanderess's reviews
1452 reviews
First Impressions of You by Gabriela Graciosa Guedes
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This is a very good retelling of Pride and Prejudice that does a great job portraying the evolution from dislike to love between the main characters. The story does a good job showing the disastrous first impression that Winter makes and how it colors Luiza's interpretation of every interaction they have after that. At the same time, it contrasts Luiza's perspective with Winter's actions, which don't align with that first impression - even if Luiza can't see that right away. I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the confrontation that would resolve the misconceptions between the characters and at the same time, I had fun seeing how much Winter liked Luiza and how oblivious she was.
The relationship between Winter and Luiza is deeply compelling. They have great chemistry, but also a connection that doesn't feel surface-level because they have deep and difficult conversations throughout the book. Both are flawed characters who let their pride and prejudices get the best of them sometimes, but both recognize that and work on it throughout the book.
The writing is smooth and engaging, with Luiza as a vibrant and relatable narrator. The supporting cast of characters is interesting, the sister relationship is complicated and well-developed, and the theme park setting adds a unique backdrop. Additionally, the book thoughtfully addresses important topics like immigration and body image, which add depth and relevance to the story.
The author made some interesting adaptations to the original Pride and Prejudice story which made it feel modern and different. However, there are a few times when behaviors from characters, conversations, or plot points feel out of place because the author was attempting to stick to the original plot. It didn't happen often but these instances disrupted the story's flow and pulled me out of the story.
The relationship between Winter and Luiza is deeply compelling. They have great chemistry, but also a connection that doesn't feel surface-level because they have deep and difficult conversations throughout the book. Both are flawed characters who let their pride and prejudices get the best of them sometimes, but both recognize that and work on it throughout the book.
The writing is smooth and engaging, with Luiza as a vibrant and relatable narrator. The supporting cast of characters is interesting, the sister relationship is complicated and well-developed, and the theme park setting adds a unique backdrop. Additionally, the book thoughtfully addresses important topics like immigration and body image, which add depth and relevance to the story.
The author made some interesting adaptations to the original Pride and Prejudice story which made it feel modern and different. However, there are a few times when behaviors from characters, conversations, or plot points feel out of place because the author was attempting to stick to the original plot. It didn't happen often but these instances disrupted the story's flow and pulled me out of the story.
Powerless by Elsie Silver
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Friends to lovers is the superior trope and this book absolutely delivered. The pining and the tension between the main characters after so many years of hiding their emotions were so good. The road trip storyline was a clever choice - it gave them alone time to make them confront their feelings.
I also adored the side characters and their relentless teasing of the main couple. There's a scene featuring the couple from the next book in the series, and it left me genuinely excited to read their story.
That said, I loved the first 60% of the book more than the last 40%. The pacing dragged a bit toward the end, which is something I've noticed in other Elsie Silver books. They tend to feel a little too long for my taste. Still, this was an enjoyable read, and I can't wait to pick up the next installment!
I also adored the side characters and their relentless teasing of the main couple. There's a scene featuring the couple from the next book in the series, and it left me genuinely excited to read their story.
That said, I loved the first 60% of the book more than the last 40%. The pacing dragged a bit toward the end, which is something I've noticed in other Elsie Silver books. They tend to feel a little too long for my taste. Still, this was an enjoyable read, and I can't wait to pick up the next installment!
James by Percival Everett
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
The writing is outstanding, the main character's voice is captivating and there are unexpected reveals. The book thoughtfully explores the concept of Jim as a persona behind which James conceals himself. Through this idea, the book offers sharp, insightful commentary on slavery and the transformative power of language and education.