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teeclecticreads's reviews
239 reviews
Beach Read by Emily Henry
there is discussion about being in a cult and death as a result of the cult
emotional
funny
reflective
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
4.0
This was a pretty good introduction to Emily Henry for me. The banter, romance, complexity of family relationships and overall concept was very enjoyable to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Domestic abuse, Grief, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent
Pack Up the Moon by Kristan Higgins
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
I’m going to go ahead and say that this is already one of the best books that I’ve ever read this year. Kristan Higgins wrote this book with $5 in her bank account, an overdue car loan, and her dreams in her back pocket. I went into this book not knowing the rollercoaster of emotions I was going to experience. I felt like I was experiencing the love between Lauren and Joshua firsthand. These two people with disabilities were just pouring into each other so deeply It’s very rare to find two people who seem so perfect for each other, and I know this is a book, but it was so heartwarming to witness the same.
Joshua is the real definition of “if he wanted to he would“. He was such a loving husband and when Lauren died from her IPF, my heart broke in pieces for him. Witnessing what heartbreak and grief is like for someone on the autism spectrum was really insightful because I got to see how intensely Josh felt his emotions and how much more effort it took for him to slowly move on as the months went by.
I found it so interesting how the plot played out because I personally don’t even know what I would do if someone I love wrote me letters to help me cope with their passing. I could however relate to the different stages of grief that each member of Lauren’s family went through in no order and some stages even more than once.
Despite it being sad, there were still a lot of moments of joy and even humour, especially with Josh’s bluntness. Each character was lovable in their own way (except Lauren’s mom, she was annoying). I felt all the emotions that I felt when I read “The Stars and the Blackness Between Them” for the first time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Terminal illness, and Grief
Moderate: Abandonment
Only and Forever by Chloe Liese
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
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
4.0
Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing, Chloe Liese and NetGalley for this arc. All thoughts are 100% my own.
I really enjoyed this story because it was from the perspective of the youngest Bergman being a hopeless romantic and pining for someone unavailable. We’re so used to MMCs being manly, assertive or gruff and it was so lovely to read about a man who was openly soft. Grumpy x Sunshine is one of my favourite tropes but especially when it’s reversed.
As usual, Chloe did a great job with the Type 1 diabetes rep. I was pleasantly educated about the advancements in technology for people living with T1D. As a character, Tallulah was also very complex. I found myself having empathy for her and all that she was holding in, even though it made her come across as mean sometimes.
The pacing was great and the humour sprinkled throughout was fun. I just wish that we got more information about Virgo’s ADHD. However, I think this was a beautiful end to the Bergman Brothers series.
I really enjoyed this story because it was from the perspective of the youngest Bergman being a hopeless romantic and pining for someone unavailable. We’re so used to MMCs being manly, assertive or gruff and it was so lovely to read about a man who was openly soft. Grumpy x Sunshine is one of my favourite tropes but especially when it’s reversed.
As usual, Chloe did a great job with the Type 1 diabetes rep. I was pleasantly educated about the advancements in technology for people living with T1D. As a character, Tallulah was also very complex. I found myself having empathy for her and all that she was holding in, even though it made her come across as mean sometimes.
The pacing was great and the humour sprinkled throughout was fun. I just wish that we got more information about Virgo’s ADHD. However, I think this was a beautiful end to the Bergman Brothers series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Chronic illness
Moderate: Alcohol
Cut & Thirst: A Short Story by Margaret Atwood
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
The Country of the Blind: A Memoir at the End of Sight by Andrew Leland
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
5.0
I got really great insight into what it's like living in a world that is so visual as someone gradually losing eyesight.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was so good! Firstly, I love that there were indicators for the present time and past events. It helped me to not get confused plus I could easily to back and connect dots as the plot unwound. I’m happy that all of my guesses of what was happening were absolutely wrong because I hate when thrillers are too predictable. I could’ve NEVER guessed any of this lol. I’m for sure gonna check out Riley’s other work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Alcoholism, and Death
Only When It's Us by Chloe Liese
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.0
I’ll start by saying that I think it’s really amazing that Chloe Liese not only listened to what her supporters had to say about the way the deaf rep was handled in the first writing of the book, but was proactive enough to make edits and release a completely new and improved version with changes made to better reflect accuracy with the deaf experience. That alone gets so many points in my book.
I love that deafness isn’t seen as a thing to be pitied or as a burden. Everyone in Ryder’s life was accommodating of his needs, whether by being mindful of speaking clearly where he can see to read their lips, or asking if he preferred to type or text when he began his journey with hearing aids. It may be a small thing to others, but those of us with disabilities know that these are the most meaningful ways that people can show us that they care.
Enemies to lovers is one of my favourite tropes and while I do love the progression they had, there were so many areas of miscommunication that I wasn’t a fan of. From Aiden being dismissive about Ryder’s choices regarding his disability and putting him in an uncomfortable situation unbeknownst to him, to Willa being upset and hypocritical that he didn’t share aspects of his disability with her. Please remember that disabled people do not owe you information about their disability.
I have to be honest, Willa annoyed me quite a few times while reading this. It’s wild to me that she was hiding so much from Ryder and had the balls to get upset at him for doing the same. Also, Ryder’s friends shaving his beard while he was sleeping felt like a huge violation of person to me. I know if it were me we’d be fighting for suuurreee.
Despite all that, it was still a lovely read. The banter between the two was fun, the Bergmans were a delight to meet and Rooney is one of the best fictional best friends I’ve had the pleasure to read about. She reminds me a little of myself too because I’m very confrontational.
I’m looking forward to reading about Ren and Frankie next ☺️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Cancer
Do Tell by Lindsay Lynch
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The only reason I didn’t DNF this is because I wanted to be justified and fair when I gave this book a low rating. This was like reading a confusing, boring version of TSHOEH. The drama was dull, there were waaaaaaay too many characters to keep up with and the FMC went on an on every chapter about how poor she was. This had so much potential to be greater than what it is. A very disappointing read about 150 pages too long.