tayking's reviews
145 reviews

High Times in the Low Parliament by Kelly Robson

funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.25

Loved this but wanted so much more from it.

Every Summer After by Carley Fortune

emotional fast-paced

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

3.25

I love second chance romance and I love banter, but this book was mired down by the self-deprecating narration that permeated both present and past scenes. It's definitely a matter of taste, but I found myself increasingly frustrated with Percy, with not enough character development at the end to make up for it.

As much as I loved Sam's character, I also felt he idealized Percy too much, which was the root of a lot of his mistakes. Again, this was also left largely unresolved at the end. 

If you like angsty tales centered around a love that is bigger than life, this may be for you.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity

Moderate: Grief

Minor: Cancer

The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

dark emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Annie Barrows, Mary Ann Shaffer

dark emotional inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.75

The Maid by Nita Prose

mysterious medium-paced

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

3.25

With how Molly's character was portrayed, I was hoping that more would be said or done in regards to her character development or general character exploration. It was a very basic plot with a shallow cast -- practically caricatures if you will -- and the only memorable aspect of this novel was Molly herself. The last section of the epilogue is divisive, but at least it hinted at Molly having some sort of rich inner world or personality. It's disappointing that any peek behind the curtain at her deeper motivations, etc., was saved for the very end. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief

Moderate: Death and Death of parent

Minor: Domestic abuse and Physical abuse

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

adventurous 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

3.5

The world and the characters we are introduced to via Richard's adventures through London Below are magnificent. I enjoyed every new setting and scene that Gaiman dropped us into, but I had difficultly emotionally connecting to the characters themselves. I'm a huge fan of character development and exploration and this book just did not hit the mark for me there -- learning more about Door or the Marquis or giving Richard any semblance of a personality (sorry!) would made this more memorable overall. 

A fun romp but not one I see myself revisiting again. 

Fake Like Me by Barbara Bourland

mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

I love stories where people are a little strange -- where their perception of reality isn't quite in line with what others experience. Reading about art obsession and the haze of creation hit that mark for me. Any story where the protagonist is so clearly passionate about what they're doing just draws me in; I could not give less of a shit about abstract art but I was so invested in this story nonetheless. 

The social commentary, the self-exploration, the character development, the writing. I did not expect it to go in the directions it was going but I'm glad I picked this up. I would recommend this to people who like characters who maybe are a little off-kilter but who will deeply immerse you in their version of reality and expose you to the weird world of expensive art. 

Very Sincerely Yours by Kerry Winfrey

funny 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

3.25

Quirky, whismical, and fun. I felt the character development and resolution was rushed but I had a wholesome blast nonetheless.

The Mismatch by Sara Jafari

reflective slow-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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Xenophobia, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Misogyny, Violence, and Physical abuse

Minor: Sexual assault

Trade Me by Courtney Milan

lighthearted 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

3.75

A complete and total surprise. The characters and relationships felt so human.

I adored the romance, but if you love messy family dynamics and characters learning to ask for help (me, i love those things), definitely check this out. The premise is ridiculous but is made up by a ton of heart.