Take a photo of a barcode or cover
soverthetop's reviews
85 reviews
Wrath of the Triple Goddess by Rick Riordan
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Speak of the Devil by Rose Wilding
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I'm glad I read this book, but I'm also glad I didn't pay for it.
This one was interesting and frustrating. There were way too many characters to keep straight and I thought that we were focused on the wrong people for too long. Some women were given way more chapters and POVs than others that when we were suddenly dumped into one we hadn't seen ij ages, it took a moment to remember exactly who that person was. (spoilery comment about that down below)
Also, despite all of the information and details given, the author barely dug into how all seven of these women came together, which to me was one of the more interesting aspects of the story. Slightly annoyed that we weren't given more information about that.
The premise itself was super interesting: We open in a room full of 7 women and one man's severed head. Only one of them killed him, but they all have a motive. I just wish the execution had been a little bit better.
Some of the writing style and choices annoyed me a little bit, but that could be because this is a British author who clearly grew up around people with strong accents.
To be honest, the only things stopping me from DNFing this book were the fact that it was a book club read and I wanted to know which one of these women did the deed.
Now for the SLIGHT SPOILER: I'm a little disappointed that we spent SO LITTLE time from the killer's point of view. I thought she had one of if not the least amount of time given in the book, which I thought was a little annoying. The reveal felt anticlimactic because we didn't know this woman as much as the others and the sudden dump of information at the end made it seem like the author didn't know which woman would be the killer until she was actively writing the death scene.
Also the author used the term "gaslighting" in a book set in 1999/2000. Hated that.
This one was interesting and frustrating. There were way too many characters to keep straight and I thought that we were focused on the wrong people for too long. Some women were given way more chapters and POVs than others that when we were suddenly dumped into one we hadn't seen ij ages, it took a moment to remember exactly who that person was. (spoilery comment about that down below)
Also, despite all of the information and details given, the author barely dug into how all seven of these women came together, which to me was one of the more interesting aspects of the story. Slightly annoyed that we weren't given more information about that.
The premise itself was super interesting: We open in a room full of 7 women and one man's severed head. Only one of them killed him, but they all have a motive. I just wish the execution had been a little bit better.
Some of the writing style and choices annoyed me a little bit, but that could be because this is a British author who clearly grew up around people with strong accents.
To be honest, the only things stopping me from DNFing this book were the fact that it was a book club read and I wanted to know which one of these women did the deed.
Now for the SLIGHT SPOILER: I'm a little disappointed that we spent SO LITTLE time from the killer's point of view. I thought she had one of if not the least amount of time given in the book, which I thought was a little annoying. The reveal felt anticlimactic because we didn't know this woman as much as the others and the sudden dump of information at the end made it seem like the author didn't know which woman would be the killer until she was actively writing the death scene.
Also the author used the term "gaslighting" in a book set in 1999/2000. Hated that.
Disco Witches of Fire Island by Blair Fell
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC! Spoiler free review is that this book was absolutely wonderful. I love stories that are mostly based in realism with a touch of the supernatural and this one definitely delivered! I loved the entire cast of colorful characters (although Ronnie did take quite a bit to grow on me) and the stories and relationships interwoven throughout the book. I especially loved Howie! This book put me THROUGH it with emotions. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me have all sorts of feelings and I felt a lot of gratitude for those in the LGBTQ community who came before me.
The magical elements in the book were so interesting! I've never seen magic used in the way that the author chose to use it here. I especially loved the dancing and Disco music part of it and even found an instrumental disco playlist to listen to while I read! Adored this story and can't wait for the rest of the world to read it!
The magical elements in the book were so interesting! I've never seen magic used in the way that the author chose to use it here. I especially loved the dancing and Disco music part of it and even found an instrumental disco playlist to listen to while I read! Adored this story and can't wait for the rest of the world to read it!
Go Luck Yourself by Sara Raasch
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-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
5.0
I absolutely adored the first book (Nightmare Before Kissmas) when I read it last year and spent until now eagerly awaiting the release of this one and it did not disappoint! I tore through it in less than a day! The Claus brothers continue to be extremely relatable to me in the best way and if I thought I loved them before, well I love them even more now.
This book follows Kris, the younger Prince of Christmas, as he investigates the theft of joy from the holiday of Christmas. While his older brother Coal is busy reconstructing Christmas, Kris' investigation leads him to St. Patrick's Day, and its Prince, Lochlann. Que the shenanigans (and the spice)!
I've said it before, but I would literally read a million stories set in this universe because the world building is that good. The style of writing is so fun and the banter between all of the characters had me laughing and crying the entire time. The relationship between Kris and Loch was unbelievably cute (and hot!) and I adored the Kris and Coal brotherly moments with the sprinkles of Hex throughout.
This enemies to lovers queer romance feels like getting absolutely hammered at a St. Patrick's Day party: super fun, a little steamy, and you might just cry.
This book follows Kris, the younger Prince of Christmas, as he investigates the theft of joy from the holiday of Christmas. While his older brother Coal is busy reconstructing Christmas, Kris' investigation leads him to St. Patrick's Day, and its Prince, Lochlann. Que the shenanigans (and the spice)!
I've said it before, but I would literally read a million stories set in this universe because the world building is that good. The style of writing is so fun and the banter between all of the characters had me laughing and crying the entire time. The relationship between Kris and Loch was unbelievably cute (and hot!) and I adored the Kris and Coal brotherly moments with the sprinkles of Hex throughout.
This enemies to lovers queer romance feels like getting absolutely hammered at a St. Patrick's Day party: super fun, a little steamy, and you might just cry.
Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I'm... not sure how I feel about this book? I thought the layout was interesting and the premise was intriguing but the execution? Not so much. The motivation of a lot of characters (including the main character) escapes me and I think there were quite a few scenes that were only added for shock factor (much in the same purpose that some scenes do for some horror movies, those this book did not pull it off as well as those do).
The ending made me confused because what? Why did he do that? Also there were many loose ends left untied and I thought the main character's actions at the end of the book kind of came out of nowhere. Absolutely bizarre book.
The ending made me confused because what? Why did he do that? Also there were many loose ends left untied and I thought the main character's actions at the end of the book kind of came out of nowhere. Absolutely bizarre book.
Love Points to You by Alice Lin
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was such a cute book! An adorable high school romance that dives into much deeper topics in such a wonderful way. The book discusses feelings of failure, blended family dynamics (and the feelings that can come with it), death in a family, and the idea of standing up for yourself, even against those that should stand behind you. I thought the main character was such a realistic teenager and loved the details surrounding that period of time (worrying about college apps, trying to be perfect at everything, and dating woes). This was a lovely first read for my March TBR and I think all teenage girls should read it, not for the surface story, but for the lessons that linger beneath the words. Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Romance for the advance reader copy!
Their Monstrous Hearts by Yigit Turhan
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This book was very slow going. It took me a long time to get into the book and I actually felt the best part of the book was the last third. The dual narration style was interesting, but I didn't really like Perihan as a character, so her parts felt like they dragged quite a bit. Less horror elements than I was expecting but the stuff that was there was great!
Although the ending was a great twist, I didn't really like it? I wish the author had chosen a different route to take in wrapping up storylines.
Thank you to HTP, Mira Books, and the author for the advanced copy!
Although the ending was a great twist, I didn't really like it? I wish the author had chosen a different route to take in wrapping up storylines.
Thank you to HTP, Mira Books, and the author for the advanced copy!
The Most Eligible by Meredith Green
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Thank you to Torch Lit Inc and Meredith Green for the ARC copy!
The world building in this book was phenomenal. I especially loved the inserts from the "gossip" paper at the start of each chapter, they really immersed you in this wonderful historical world. The characters were all lovely as well. I'm not often a fan of love triangles, but this one was different in the way the motivations and feelings of each of these characters evolved and it felt fresh! My only issues with the book is the last quarter or so of it seemed a little rushed. I wish certain scenes in that last part had been a little more drawn out and explored.
The world building in this book was phenomenal. I especially loved the inserts from the "gossip" paper at the start of each chapter, they really immersed you in this wonderful historical world. The characters were all lovely as well. I'm not often a fan of love triangles, but this one was different in the way the motivations and feelings of each of these characters evolved and it felt fresh! My only issues with the book is the last quarter or so of it seemed a little rushed. I wish certain scenes in that last part had been a little more drawn out and explored.
Attention: A Love Story by Casey Schwartz
informative
medium-paced
3.0
This book had some interesting research and a few intriguing arguments, but it was much different than what I thought it was going to be based on the description of it. I didn't particularly like some of the language Schwartz used while talking about people with ADD or ADHD, but some of the information could be useful and I definitely learned a lot.
The personal stories tended to drag a lot and I found myself confused as to why some of them were included. Additionally, I listened to the audiobook of this one and wasn't really a fan of her narration.
The personal stories tended to drag a lot and I found myself confused as to why some of them were included. Additionally, I listened to the audiobook of this one and wasn't really a fan of her narration.
Like It Never Was by Faith F. Gardner
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I normally hate to leave one-star reviews but unfortunately it cannot be helped this time. This book was extremely predictable and not in a good way. The writing felt quite juvenile, especially for the subject matter that is covered and the protagonist is quite possibly the worst main character I have ever read. I hated her from the beginning and somehow she got worse! The only good thing the book had going for it was that it was over quickly. There were a few plot holes that really bothered me and the "gotcha!" twist at the end was so predictable the entire book club saw it coming.