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tdhaswell's reviews
56 reviews
Normal People by Sally Rooney
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
raw. relatable. aimless. abstract. witty. personal.
These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
This is how storytelling should be. Creative, clever, descriptive and- most of all- well-planned. I’m in awe. Considering Chloe Gong’s age when writing this book, this book is extremely well-written. The imagery and descriptions are rich and vivid and her writing is simply beautiful.
I understand how at first the book seems slow and perhaps uninteresting as the world building takes place and we read about the characters’ history but from the prologue, I was gripped by her remarkable writing and that’s what ultimately motivated me to continue. Towards the end of the book the pace picks up rapidly and I was amazed at how all the bits of information the reader previously received at different points throughout the book began to fall into place. It was very well planned and I appreciate that. Reading this was actually refreshing after reading countless YA (and even Adult) novels that are basic, poorly planned and that lack depth especially considering that those are written by adults and Chloe Gong was a teen/young adult.
The premise of the book is incredibly unique and interesting. After reading, some might feel it did not necessarily meet certain expectations however I was pleasantly surprised. I loved the witty humour and slow-burn romance and even the hinted romance between Benedikt and Marshall. I do wish that it included more about Shanghai’s history and general history because I found that aspect very interesting and enjoyed being able to learn about history, that perhaps I would have never known otherwise, while still reading a fictional story.
Ultimately These Violent Delights is a beautifully crafted, thrilling story and an inspiration to many young writers. I am excited to see what Chloe Gong creates in the future as she matures and develops what seems to be an already amazing talent.
I understand how at first the book seems slow and perhaps uninteresting as the world building takes place and we read about the characters’ history but from the prologue, I was gripped by her remarkable writing and that’s what ultimately motivated me to continue. Towards the end of the book the pace picks up rapidly and I was amazed at how all the bits of information the reader previously received at different points throughout the book began to fall into place. It was very well planned and I appreciate that. Reading this was actually refreshing after reading countless YA (and even Adult) novels that are basic, poorly planned and that lack depth especially considering that those are written by adults and Chloe Gong was a teen/young adult.
The premise of the book is incredibly unique and interesting. After reading, some might feel it did not necessarily meet certain expectations however I was pleasantly surprised. I loved the witty humour and slow-burn romance and even the hinted romance between Benedikt and Marshall. I do wish that it included more about Shanghai’s history and general history because I found that aspect very interesting and enjoyed being able to learn about history, that perhaps I would have never known otherwise, while still reading a fictional story.
Ultimately These Violent Delights is a beautifully crafted, thrilling story and an inspiration to many young writers. I am excited to see what Chloe Gong creates in the future as she matures and develops what seems to be an already amazing talent.
Mr Wrong Number by Lynn Painter
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.75
What an eye roll of a book. Cringeworthy from the beginning and only slightly resurrected in the end. I read Better Than The Movies and I’m starting to think Lynn Painter writes the ‘pick-me-girls’ of novels.
Olivia was insufferable and there was very poor character development. The plot followed a typical ‘character does nothing and the problem unrealistically resolves itself’- the reader receives no prior or further information on that random intern that told Glenda that Olivia actually doesn’t have kids. In fact, the way Olivia overreacted about assuming Colin had told was just ridiculously unrealistic especially since she absolutely point blank refused to hear him out for no good reason. Colin is way out of her league and personally I would not have continued to pursue someone so ignorant.
There was not enough of Jack, other than that they lived together, to make their close relationship believable. Painter follows very much of a ‘tell’ not ‘show’ writing style that I couldn’t appreciate. We get it, Olivia is Jack’s BABY SISTER. I don’t know how many more times it can be said. Olivia keeps assuming Colin is a douchebag but, aside from some teasing when they were kids, the reader does not have any indication of this.
The 🌶 scenes were a bit random and too often for my taste personally. Sex was mentioned a lot… a lot. This is a difficult book to even recommend to others because the writing style is so immature but some scenes are far too PG for younger eyes.
Overall was the book side splittingly funny? No. Ali Hazelwood was being kind. If I was amused it was because of how ridiculous the premise and character descriptions were although there were a few witty comebacks here and there.
Olivia was insufferable and there was very poor character development. The plot followed a typical ‘character does nothing and the problem unrealistically resolves itself’- the reader receives no prior or further information on that random intern that told Glenda that Olivia actually doesn’t have kids. In fact, the way Olivia overreacted about assuming Colin had told was just ridiculously unrealistic especially since she absolutely point blank refused to hear him out for no good reason. Colin is way out of her league and personally I would not have continued to pursue someone so ignorant.
There was not enough of Jack, other than that they lived together, to make their close relationship believable. Painter follows very much of a ‘tell’ not ‘show’ writing style that I couldn’t appreciate. We get it, Olivia is Jack’s BABY SISTER. I don’t know how many more times it can be said. Olivia keeps assuming Colin is a douchebag but, aside from some teasing when they were kids, the reader does not have any indication of this.
The 🌶 scenes were a bit random and too often for my taste personally. Sex was mentioned a lot… a lot. This is a difficult book to even recommend to others because the writing style is so immature but some scenes are far too PG for younger eyes.
Overall was the book side splittingly funny? No. Ali Hazelwood was being kind. If I was amused it was because of how ridiculous the premise and character descriptions were although there were a few witty comebacks here and there.
Verity by Colleen Hoover
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Read in one breathless sitting.
I didn’t develop a connection to the main characters and the plot was not realistic but was still interesting. The main characters had no chemistry, there were way too many graphic sex scenes for my taste and the descriptions were deeply disturbing. I felt there were gaps in the storyline. I don’t understand how ‘the scans’ proved that she was brain dead if she literally wasn’t?? And I don’t understand how, if Jeremy already knew about the manuscript, Lowen showing it to him suddenly made him believe she was faking her injuries.
That aside, there was twist after twist after twist. Coho did a good job at giving the reader small tastes of eerie possibilities that made us want to read more to find out the truth.
I didn’t develop a connection to the main characters and the plot was not realistic but was still interesting. The main characters had no chemistry, there were way too many graphic sex scenes for my taste and the descriptions were deeply disturbing. I felt there were gaps in the storyline.
That aside, there was twist after twist after twist. Coho did a good job at giving the reader small tastes of eerie possibilities that made us want to read more to find out the truth.
All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover
fast-paced
3.0
It’s no secret that I don’t typically enjoy Colleen Hoover’s writing. I often appreciate the message of the story but not necessarily the story itself. That being said, I am so conflicted as to how to interpret this novel. Nonetheless, it’s one of the better CoHo books.
It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
2.75
I know it was just written because the fans wanted a happy ending for Lily and Atlas… but I also know it was just written because CoHo was chasing that bag. Good for her. Mediocre book but good for her. There were some good developments throughout the book. Theo is my favourite character. Theo’s character shows that CoHo was aware of the reviews on It Ends With Us and how most people thought ‘we’ve finally reached the shore’ and other things were cringeworthy. The only dislike I have with CoHo books is that, personally, the writing style is immature but the themes are so explicit. Once again, I enjoyed the story but the writing itself was not very good. It could’ve been an extended epilogue.
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.75
Wow. Now that is how you write a thriller.
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
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
TJR <3
A new comfort book for me.
A new comfort book for me.
“Capable is a question I never had the luxury of asking. Because my family needed me.”
A story about family, resilience and unquestionable loyalty.
By shifting between past and present perspectives, Reid enables the reader to follow June and Mick and then the Riva siblings as they grow up. We learn of the hardships they faced due to an absent father, famous Mick Riva (some may recall from The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo), and an alcoholic mother facing her own intrapersonal conflicts and how this shapes them into who they are presently. I loved each of their personal storylines and the plot as a whole. I found myself caring deeply about all the characters, loving their unique personalities and caught my heart breaking every time they had a new problem to overcome and I thought Nina was incredibly strong and resilient.
At first I wished Casey’s story had a bit more finality but I realized that that was the beauty of the Riva siblings. They are accepting and loving. I was more than satisfied with the ending and loved the symbolism of fire linking the beginning and the end of the book. Above all, the book was incredibly well-written.
At first I wished Casey’s story had a bit more finality but I realized that that was the beauty of the Riva siblings. They are accepting and loving. I was more than satisfied with the ending and loved the symbolism of fire linking the beginning and the end of the book. Above all, the book was incredibly well-written.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Written absolutely beautifully.
We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han
fast-paced
4.0
Jenny Han does it again. Some would say it’s ‘immature’ but I read it with my younger cousins and I have to appreciate it for what it is. A well written summer romance. I can’t exactly remember what happens in each book because I read them all consecutively so my review won’t be too in-depth. Ultimately it was a super cute, fun, summer romance that I devoured when I was a young teen. Since this is the last book I will leave my final thoughts…
#TeamBonrad only because Jeremiah doesn’t deserve to be someone’s second choice (props to you if you recognize that reference to Jenny Han’s To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before).
#TeamBonrad only because Jeremiah doesn’t deserve to be someone’s second choice (props to you if you recognize that reference to Jenny Han’s To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before).