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stellabyproxy's reviews
105 reviews
Pained by Vera Micic, Vera Hollins
challenging
emotional
fast-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
2.0
PAINED was a definite upgrade from BULLIED. This instalment of the Bullied Series gave a better look into Hayden and his BPD, while showing the struggles in the transition in his relationship with Sarah.
Showing the constant back and forth in their interactions and how it isn’t just a smooth transition of enemies to lovers was tasteful and allowed the reader to truly start to see Hayden’s side of things. Is it perfect? No. BUT it’s a beautiful start with some beautiful development.
I simply hope every character doesn’t get a redemption arc. Blake seems to be on the path to redemption and having everyone getting along by the end of the story would just feel inauthentic.
Showing the constant back and forth in their interactions and how it isn’t just a smooth transition of enemies to lovers was tasteful and allowed the reader to truly start to see Hayden’s side of things. Is it perfect? No. BUT it’s a beautiful start with some beautiful development.
I simply hope every character doesn’t get a redemption arc. Blake seems to be on the path to redemption and having everyone getting along by the end of the story would just feel inauthentic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Car accident
Bullied by Vera Micic, Vera Hollins
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
2.0
The first time I read this series was on Wattpad. It was my first introduction to BPD and as someone who knew she struggled with depression and possibly BPD, it probably wasn’t the best idea to read this at the age of 14.
I decided to reread this series as a 19 year old now in therapy and it saddens me how the illness is so heavily stigmatised. Obviously not every person with BPD is like Hayden and he is a fictional character, however it is important to acknowledge how this series feeds into the already negative dialogue surrounding BPD.
Despite its flaws, it was the first step to my research into BPD and ultimately my diagnosis. And for that I will forever be grateful. Not every book will portray something exactly how the reader would like and I must applaud Vera on bringing attention to BPD, no matter what kind of portrayal it is.
I decided to reread this series as a 19 year old now in therapy and it saddens me how the illness is so heavily stigmatised. Obviously not every person with BPD is like Hayden and he is a fictional character, however it is important to acknowledge how this series feeds into the already negative dialogue surrounding BPD.
Despite its flaws, it was the first step to my research into BPD and ultimately my diagnosis. And for that I will forever be grateful. Not every book will portray something exactly how the reader would like and I must applaud Vera on bringing attention to BPD, no matter what kind of portrayal it is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Suicide, Violence, Car accident, and Sexual harassment
Kill All Your Darlings by David Bell
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What’s better than a book about a book? A book about a book plagiarised by a college professor who’s student mysteriously disappears.
It all seems rather straightforward. Madeline O’Brien is a literary genius, however she disappears shortly after handing in her thesis: a thriller about a woman murdered by her husband. Two years later, Madeline’s thesis director (and the last person to see her alive) publishes the book as his own, drawing some unwanted attention from the police. Dr Nye’s newly published book just happens to be a perfect description of an unsolved murder that occurred 6 months before Madeleine’s disappearance. A coincidence? Maybe. After all the murder victim, Sophia, was friends with Madeline. Except the book contains facts that were not released to the public…
With the return of an old student, bestseller turned murder suspect Dr Nye is in a race against time to find the truth as evidence piles up against him. This book is truly a dark academia treasure and might just be my favourite book ever. In the words of Live Constantine, “[this book] grabs you by the throat and never lets go… [it has] a twist you’ll never see coming.”
It all seems rather straightforward. Madeline O’Brien is a literary genius, however she disappears shortly after handing in her thesis: a thriller about a woman murdered by her husband. Two years later, Madeline’s thesis director (and the last person to see her alive) publishes the book as his own, drawing some unwanted attention from the police. Dr Nye’s newly published book just happens to be a perfect description of an unsolved murder that occurred 6 months before Madeleine’s disappearance. A coincidence? Maybe. After all the murder victim, Sophia, was friends with Madeline. Except the book contains facts that were not released to the public…
With the return of an old student, bestseller turned murder suspect Dr Nye is in a race against time to find the truth as evidence piles up against him. This book is truly a dark academia treasure and might just be my favourite book ever. In the words of Live Constantine, “[this book] grabs you by the throat and never lets go… [it has] a twist you’ll never see coming.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Suicide, Grief, Murder, and Sexual harassment
Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
What’s better than reading a book? Reading a book about characters who love reading books!
This slow-burn, ironically, left me at a loss for “other words”. As a 19 year old girl, reading about Macy and Elliot’s younger selves made me reflect on my adolescence and draw parallels to my own younger self, nose-deep in a book and disconnected from the world. And made me eternally grateful for the years I shared with my own guy best friend. I, too, hope to find an “everyfriend” with the capacity for love that these two shared.
“Favourite word?“ Infinite ❤️
This slow-burn, ironically, left me at a loss for “other words”. As a 19 year old girl, reading about Macy and Elliot’s younger selves made me reflect on my adolescence and draw parallels to my own younger self, nose-deep in a book and disconnected from the world. And made me eternally grateful for the years I shared with my own guy best friend. I, too, hope to find an “everyfriend” with the capacity for love that these two shared.
“Favourite word?“ Infinite ❤️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Sexual content, Terminal illness, and Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity and Car accident
Radio Silence by Alice Oseman
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Radio Silence is a book I truly didn’t think I’d enjoy. One of my favourite book youtubers absolutely loves it but I wasn’t all the way convinced.
Suffice to say, it proved me wrong in all the best ways. The characters and plot were an absolute whirlwind and every word left me wanting more. A secret podcast made by a quiet nerd who wants to conceal their identity AT ALL COSTS hardly sounds like much of a plot but with each “Hello. I hope somebody is listening…” you get closer to the truth and fall more in love with the story.
No perfect way to explain it except that there is so much more than meets the eye and don’t judge a book by it’s cover, or a podcast by its sound…
Suffice to say, it proved me wrong in all the best ways. The characters and plot were an absolute whirlwind and every word left me wanting more. A secret podcast made by a quiet nerd who wants to conceal their identity AT ALL COSTS hardly sounds like much of a plot but with each “Hello. I hope somebody is listening…” you get closer to the truth and fall more in love with the story.
No perfect way to explain it except that there is so much more than meets the eye and don’t judge a book by it’s cover, or a podcast by its sound…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Suicidal thoughts
Beach Read by Emily Henry
challenging
emotional
hopeful
slow-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? Yes
5.0
Emily Henry absolutely pulled at my heartstrings and left me in a happy puddle of tears as big as Lake Michigan. The way each main character challenges the familial trends in relationships that they are convinced will continue to be upheld by them but also want to write a different story, it is truly something to be admired.
An excellent piece of writing and definitely worthy of a five star rating. Romance is not dead and Emily Henry is the doctor ensuring it remains alive and well, even if just to provide a “happy-for-now”.
An excellent piece of writing and definitely worthy of a five star rating. Romance is not dead and Emily Henry is the doctor ensuring it remains alive and well, even if just to provide a “happy-for-now”.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Infidelity, Terminal illness, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Domestic abuse
They Never Learn by Layne Fargo
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-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? Yes
5.0
There is so much to say about this book and certainly not enough words to say it.
In this thriller, English professor meets serial killer in a gripping story that brings female serial killers to the forefront. This book is not only a show of pure literary excellence from Layne Fargo but a truly twisted and primal take on feminism (and beautiful queer and bisexual representation). The use of dual-narration gives the reader great insight, and with a morally grey protagonist Fargo executes a storyline of vengeance vs victimhood with twists and turns that leave the reader constantly guessing.
Do you root for the killer or their victims? Who is the true underdog? Were the crimes worthy of the punishment? Is vigilante justice the answer? And is my love for the protagonist worthy of my own psychological evaluation?
The only way to find out is to keep turning the page and that is certainly not a problem, because Layne Fargo will leave you wanting to know more.
In this thriller, English professor meets serial killer in a gripping story that brings female serial killers to the forefront. This book is not only a show of pure literary excellence from Layne Fargo but a truly twisted and primal take on feminism (and beautiful queer and bisexual representation). The use of dual-narration gives the reader great insight, and with a morally grey protagonist Fargo executes a storyline of vengeance vs victimhood with twists and turns that leave the reader constantly guessing.
Do you root for the killer or their victims? Who is the true underdog? Were the crimes worthy of the punishment? Is vigilante justice the answer? And is my love for the protagonist worthy of my own psychological evaluation?
The only way to find out is to keep turning the page and that is certainly not a problem, because Layne Fargo will leave you wanting to know more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual assault, Suicide, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
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
5.0
Once again, Jodi Picoult and her multiple narrators have a special place in my heart. This story drew me in and felt like both a breath of fresh air and the wind being knocked out of me. I have never read anything with this level of sincerity and the manner in which Picoult tackles the societal structures of racism, especially in the medical field, was absolutely soul-crushing in the best way. An instant favourite in my eyes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Grief, Medical trauma, and Gaslighting
Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Jodi Picoult was sure to mention that each member of a pack has a role and in the role of author she is one of few who can hold my attention with multiple narrators. The meticulous detail with which she writes each characters perspective whilst integrating all the research she has done on wolves and zoology is heavily deserving of this 5-star rating.
Jodi had my eyes, heart and mind glued to every word and this has been a worthy reread.
Jodi had my eyes, heart and mind glued to every word and this has been a worthy reread.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Medical trauma, Car accident, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death and Infidelity
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity and Death of parent
Minor: Pedophilia and Sexual harassment