tarini's reviews
103 reviews

Ariadne by Jennifer Saint

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

i loved the story and writing but something here felt missing. i also don’t quite understand why it wasn’t titled after both ariadne and phaedra since it had both their perspectives? anyway, though i wasn’t very engaged throughout, this was definitely a good read overall and i need more additions to the feminist mythology retelling genre asap!

Lady Susan by Jane Austen

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

had me giggling on the metro at times this was so fun to read and i loved the format!

You and Me on Vacation by Emily Henry

funny lighthearted 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? No

4.25

romance books with complex characters we love you!

Love, Loss, and What I Wore by Ilene Beckerman

lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

3.5

read this almost entirely on the MRT, a very interestingly written memoir!

The Bennet Women by Eden Appiah-Kubi

emotional lighthearted 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? It's complicated

3.25

a good retelling, but i just didn’t like the writing style in it very much. unfortunately not very life altering

Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean

funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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? It's complicated

3.75

this was such a fun read and i loved how real the characters were!!

All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir

emotional sad 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

5.0

i was not expecting this to become a new favourite, it was such a work of art. i was holding back tears with every chapter, the story as well characters were incredibly written. so personal and emotional and overall a masterpiece!

A RomaJuliette Christmas Special by Chloe Gong

emotional hopeful fast-paced

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

4.0

need to stop reading books i know will bring out visceral reactions from me this isn’t normal 

Our Violent Ends by Chloe Gong

adventurous emotional 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? It's complicated

5.0

this had its flaws but i was so hooked in the last few chapters that i’m overlooking all my initial qualms about it. i got so attached to the characters and while the story was predictable at certain parts, i still enjoyed it. loved this much more than the first book too!

My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh

dark funny reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

i read about 70% of this book lying in my bed with only the lull of the fan as background noise, which somehow turned out to be the ideal condition. i finished this so fast, and honestly, i don't know how i feel about it. there were times where i caught myself actually agreeing with the narrator and even wishing for a life like hers for some reason so maybe some self re-evaluation is in order.