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strawberrymivvy's reviews
526 reviews
Think Twice by Harlan Coben
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I have long enjoyed Coben's books, and will continue to do so, and particularly enjoy the dynamic between Myron and Win, but this was not one of the best.
The story felt complicated and confusing, with illogical leaps in reasoning to link a series of deaths to a single serial killer, and those in turn to a former client of Myron's, long dead.
Maybe I just wasn't in the right frame of mind whilst reading, but it felt like there was a lot of back story it would have been useful to remember, and too much going on
The story felt complicated and confusing, with illogical leaps in reasoning to link a series of deaths to a single serial killer, and those in turn to a former client of Myron's, long dead.
Maybe I just wasn't in the right frame of mind whilst reading, but it felt like there was a lot of back story it would have been useful to remember, and too much going on
The Royal Librarian by Daisy Wood
medium-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? No
3.0
This book had so much potential but was too fluffy with overly trite/simplistic dialogue so none of the characters really came to life.
We meet Sophie as a teen in Vienna as the Nazis are coming to power. As her parents realise what is to come, they urge Sophie to take her younger sister and get away. Sophie (somewhat simplistically) gets recruited by the British secret service to work for them undercover in the library at Windsor Castle. This novel is essentially a "what might have been, we just don't know..." kind of story, and whilst I'm sure it's true life was (to some extent) simpler then and people more trusting, the narrative just didn't read right to me.
In a dual timeline we have Lacey, an American woman in her 20s coming out of Covid and making a discovery about her grandmother that leads her on a journey to Windsor.
Though I enjoy historical fiction, the clunky dialogue and too much suspension of belief marred this one for me and it just didn't hit the mark
We meet Sophie as a teen in Vienna as the Nazis are coming to power. As her parents realise what is to come, they urge Sophie to take her younger sister and get away. Sophie (somewhat simplistically) gets recruited by the British secret service to work for them undercover in the library at Windsor Castle. This novel is essentially a "what might have been, we just don't know..." kind of story, and whilst I'm sure it's true life was (to some extent) simpler then and people more trusting, the narrative just didn't read right to me.
In a dual timeline we have Lacey, an American woman in her 20s coming out of Covid and making a discovery about her grandmother that leads her on a journey to Windsor.
Though I enjoy historical fiction, the clunky dialogue and too much suspension of belief marred this one for me and it just didn't hit the mark
One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware
challenging
dark
tense
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
4.0
A tautly written psychological drama that reminded me why I enjoyed the It Girl so much. Ruth Ware's books are often slightly out of the ordinary in their setting/plot which makes them all the more page turners.
Lyla is an educated woman working in viral research, her partner a wannabe actor who takes her for granted. He persuades her to join him on a new reality TV show where he's convinced he'll get his big break. As they arrive on an island in the middle of nowhere they find a similar story with the other couples - not everyone is excited to be there or an obvious reality TV star. Almost immediately tensions heat up, then a huge storm leaves them cut off from the rest of the world and having to fend for themselves.
As the body count rises, can they work out what is happening and who can be trusted?
This was a real page turner and until about 50 pages from the end I wasn't sure which way it was going to go, but then it fell a little flat at the end and didn't deliver any real surprise. None of the characters were particularly loveable, even Lyla as she seemed to capitulate to Nico so quickly - in reality I can't see her dropping everything to go on a reality TV show.
Lyla is an educated woman working in viral research, her partner a wannabe actor who takes her for granted. He persuades her to join him on a new reality TV show where he's convinced he'll get his big break. As they arrive on an island in the middle of nowhere they find a similar story with the other couples - not everyone is excited to be there or an obvious reality TV star. Almost immediately tensions heat up, then a huge storm leaves them cut off from the rest of the world and having to fend for themselves.
As the body count rises, can they work out what is happening and who can be trusted?
This was a real page turner and until about 50 pages from the end I wasn't sure which way it was going to go, but then it fell a little flat at the end and didn't deliver any real surprise. None of the characters were particularly loveable, even Lyla as she seemed to capitulate to Nico so quickly - in reality I can't see her dropping everything to go on a reality TV show.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Death
I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.0
This was actually a re-read for me, going back to read this author's books in order. Whilst I didn't remember everything about how we get to the conclusion of the novel, I knew enough...
Jenna has to leave everything behind when a terrible tragedy hits her Bristol life, including her work as a successful sculptor. She hides out in small town Wales in an abandoned cottage and develops a new artistic talent, gradually meeting and getting to know some of the locals.
But can she really escape the past and move on?
Jenna has to leave everything behind when a terrible tragedy hits her Bristol life, including her work as a successful sculptor. She hides out in small town Wales in an abandoned cottage and develops a new artistic talent, gradually meeting and getting to know some of the locals.
But can she really escape the past and move on?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Sexual assault, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Child death
The Long Call by Ann Cleeves
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Despite being a big Shetland fan, I think this is actually the first book by this author I can remember reading. An interesting start to a likely new series of books, Matthew is an interesting lead character with I'm sure an interesting background that will likely play into later books in the series.
When a body is found on the beach Matthew and his team must work to discover what happened. They discover a link to the day care centre where Matthew's husband works, and when two women from there are kidnapped, the case just gets more confusing - what could be the link?
Hints of homophobia in small town Devon, a DS who also has history (single Mum with a potentially violent ex-partner), a DC who's a bit too big for his boots and is indiscreet with the boss... so many options for which way future stories can go.
Well-written, interesting characters and I will likely look out for more books in this series
When a body is found on the beach Matthew and his team must work to discover what happened. They discover a link to the day care centre where Matthew's husband works, and when two women from there are kidnapped, the case just gets more confusing - what could be the link?
Hints of homophobia in small town Devon, a DS who also has history (single Mum with a potentially violent ex-partner), a DC who's a bit too big for his boots and is indiscreet with the boss... so many options for which way future stories can go.
Well-written, interesting characters and I will likely look out for more books in this series
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault and Kidnapping
Dirty Thirty by Janet Evanovich
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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
3.75
Not an author I actively seek out, though I've read a lot of the Stephanie Plum books over this years and this was reliably light-hearted. For the first time I listened to this as an audio book and it might be my new favourite way to read Stephanie Plum as the narrator was spot on.
Another madcap mystery with crazy characters, exploding cars and apartments and of course the Morelli-Ranger-Stephanie love triangle
Another madcap mystery with crazy characters, exploding cars and apartments and of course the Morelli-Ranger-Stephanie love triangle
How to Walk Away by Katherine Center
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
4.0
The more I read by this author, the more she reminds me of Jodi Picoult and I wonder why she is not better known. Something about her writing is just so engaging that even when it feels little is happening, the pages keep turning. She creates well-rounded, slightly imperfect, characters that I want to get to know in real life.
Margaret seems to have it all, and is excited for her long term boyfriend's anticipated proposal. Suddenly everything changes and she faces a long stay in the hospital - and the realisation he is not the man she thought he was. Whilst he wallows in self-pity she must struggle to relearn everything she's every known, and discover the new Maggie.
We learn about her difficult relationship with her mother, an estranged sister, and how she learns more about herself from Ian, her physical therapist.
An inspiring book that is a great wet Sunday afternoon or beach read - cos you'll want to read it as quickly as possible!
Margaret seems to have it all, and is excited for her long term boyfriend's anticipated proposal. Suddenly everything changes and she faces a long stay in the hospital - and the realisation he is not the man she thought he was. Whilst he wallows in self-pity she must struggle to relearn everything she's every known, and discover the new Maggie.
We learn about her difficult relationship with her mother, an estranged sister, and how she learns more about herself from Ian, her physical therapist.
An inspiring book that is a great wet Sunday afternoon or beach read - cos you'll want to read it as quickly as possible!
The Lost Book of Bonn by Brianna Labuskes
lesbian love interest, badly scarred soldier love interest
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was a different take on the typical WWII novel. In 1946 Emmy is sent from the Library of Congress to Berlin to help retrieve precious books taken by the Nazis. She comes across a Rilke collection of poetry with a personal message written in the front, and becomes determined to return it to its rightful owner.
Told through three different voices and timelines, we gradually learn about sisters Christina and Annalise and their different roles in the lead up to and during the war and what happened with the book.
At times confusing, trying to keep straight who should know what at that time of the novel, I did essentially enjoy this tale of sisters who had a challenging relationship and who didn't have everything fall into place for them.
For all that, the characters felt under-developed and I didn't find myself really rooting for any of them, and other than Annalise's love story with Eitan, at the heart of the story about the Rilke book, the other love interests were unnecessary and felt almost thrown in for shock value -
Told through three different voices and timelines, we gradually learn about sisters Christina and Annalise and their different roles in the lead up to and during the war and what happened with the book.
At times confusing, trying to keep straight who should know what at that time of the novel, I did essentially enjoy this tale of sisters who had a challenging relationship and who didn't have everything fall into place for them.
For all that, the characters felt under-developed and I didn't find myself really rooting for any of them, and other than Annalise's love story with Eitan, at the heart of the story about the Rilke book, the other love interests were unnecessary and felt almost thrown in for shock value -
Content Warnings
What You Wish for by Katherine Center
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
A new to me author, I was attracted purely by the cover and I wasn't disappointed.
Quirky, loveable main characters in a too good to be true charming small town/school community. Nobody for a minute believes that people would behave that way in real life but if you can suspend belief and enjoy the ride this is a fun, lighthearted story of second chances, hope, joy and love.
Quirky, loveable main characters in a too good to be true charming small town/school community. Nobody for a minute believes that people would behave that way in real life but if you can suspend belief and enjoy the ride this is a fun, lighthearted story of second chances, hope, joy and love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mass/school shootings
Chill of Night by John Lutz
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Picked this up free at a yard sale, and was pleasantly surprised. Despite being over 15 years old this book has aged fairly well, and the main character, Beam, felt interesting and well-rounded.
A few surprises along the way, red herrings thrown in, but a decent enough beach read. I did find the epilogue, where he wrapped up everyone's stories after the story's conclusion, to be unnecessary and bordering on trite
A few surprises along the way, red herrings thrown in, but a decent enough beach read. I did find the epilogue, where he wrapped up everyone's stories after the story's conclusion, to be unnecessary and bordering on trite