theamyleblanc's reviews
940 reviews

Writing Mr. Right by Alina Khawaja
Did not finish book. Stopped at 44%.

As Ziya heard many times about the book she queried at the start of this story: I couldn't connect to the characters or the story.

It's silly and over the top in an unbelievable way. I get that it's magical realism but the elements feel disjointed and ask me to suspend my disbelief too much. Was I mildly curious to see how things played out? Yes. That's why I kept reading as long as I did. But this one rubbed me the wrong way pretty much from the start:

- Ziya bemoans that the Hallmark-esque style she writes in isn't splashy enough for agents & publishers but doesn't try indie or self publishing.

- "Huh. I never would have guessed the hardworking, suitwearing, no-nonsense women I work with would be such big romance fans" (18%). That's so judgmental and naive of Ziya. This is set in current day; with the explosion of the romance genre, how is this a thought she has?

- Her idea that FMCs have to behave in a likable way or they're unrelatable (19%). It's just gross.

- "Like, if you don't have a splashy book deal or a literary agent, then your writing isn't as valid" (23%). Way to dismiss whole sections of the industry. Ziya's attitude towards writing and publishing seems massively messed up.

- Aashiq acts more like a life coach and/or therapist than he does a creative muse.

- Aashiq's quirks and knowledge seem poorly defined. He's aware of some things but ignorant of others with no rhyme or reason.

I thought at first that maybe this just wasn't a good fit for me. But I think this book needs some work on the whole. The dialogue is stilted or unrealistic and there's so much of it. Ziya is constantly telling us how she's feeling or what she's thinking instead of us experiencing it alongside her. I want the story to either lean harder into the silliness or be more grounded in reality. Right now, it's straddling a line that makes it hard to connect.

I know I'm referencing an ARC and that things might change between now and publication. If things do, I'd be willing to give this another shot. But as it stands, it's not enjoyable.

Many thanks to NetGalley, MIRA, and the author for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Ashfire King by Chelsea Abdullah

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

Everything I loved about the first book holds true here!

The story draws you in immediately. It's a bit slow as everything unfolds but the clues are there. I had several moments of epiphany shortly before coming upon that reveal. But there are also things you probably can't predict or anticipate -- I know I didn't. This feels like a hard story to tell because everyone was separated for so long. Chelsea balanced the narratives masterfully.

I still love Qadir and Loulie and Mazen but now I get to love Rijah (they/them) and others, too! The character growth is subtle but noticeable. It's been a while since I've journeyed alongside a story as it's being written (I prefer to read fantasy series when they're complete) but it's a real treat to read this as it unfurls.

Please, go read this! It's lovely and beautiful and unique and magical.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Orbit, and the author for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Perfect Fit by Clare Gilmore

hopeful inspiring slow-paced

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

3.5

Things I loved:
- the friendships
- the realistic look at girl-boss/hustle culture and burnout
- Will Grant

So why didn't I rate this higher?

The story mostly felt discordant. The topics (girl-boss/hustle culture, burnout, the viciousness of social media) are serious and heavy but the approach felt light. The female friendships within this world of toxic capitalism and appearance-ism weren't given the room to breathe I thought they deserved. They're very well done, don't get me wrong! But I wanted to see more of them because they're so well done.

This book is marketed as a romance but the romantic relationship felt weak and easy. It's definitely the secondary storyline. Will is a classic man-written-by-a-woman and he's such a great book boyfriend. But he was almost too good and it bordered on caricaturish for me.

We need more stories that address these topics. I'll definitely recommend this to friends but with the caveat that it's not romance-forward, no matter how it seems.

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Griffin, and the author for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark

emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.5

4.5 stars

This is a gripping exploration of how the stories we tell ourselves shape our world and who we are in it. Of how fickle memory can be. Of how you never really know the truth of someone unless they're willing to be vulnerable and share it.

Every part of this story works. The characters are interesting and complicated and real. I was able to connect with them as much as you can with this kind of story. The snippets of 1975 are woven in beautifully and to great effect. It's tragic and scary and infuriating and heartbreaking.

My favorite part is how well plotted this story is. Until you get to the reveal, you never really know what happened or how it's going to play out. But hindsight shows you the clues that were there. My subconscious registered a number of them -- like the ping of a metal detector -- but the narrative is compelling enough to keep you from straying and guessing anything too soon.

I definitely recommend this book!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and the author for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

A Major Puck Up by Brittanée Nicole

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

3.5

The Big Fix by Holly James

adventurous funny hopeful mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.5

Part romance, part screwball action, this book surprised me in the best way! I've never really read anything like it -- I want more NOW.

As with everything Holly James does, this book is incredible. You're immediately pulled in and invested in Penny and Anthony's story. They're lovely characters that go against genre stereotypes. Penny is equal parts damsel in distress and intelligent, brave woman. Anthony is capable (oh boy is he!) while also a bit shy with a big heart.

The action elements perfectly straddle the line between serious and over-the-top screwy. The tone balances the romance and action beautifully. It feels cinematic and I want to see it made into a movie. It reminds me a bit of Ashton Kutcher's movie Killers. My only complaint is that I wanted Penny to use her tech skills to help. Yes, she's invaluable in other ways but I thought it would be a nice, full circle moment.

Go read this! It's so fun and unique.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Kensington, and the author for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Strong Female Character by Fern Brady

emotional funny hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

This should be required reading for everyone. Period.

I have so many feelings about this book that words are going to fail me. I want to give it all the stars! It's an unflinchingly honest depiction of what autism can look like in a woman and we don't see enough of that. It's so sad that we live in a world where Fern has to expose deeply personal, probably scarring moments of her life in order to paint this picture and her courage is humbling.

My first introduction to Fern Brady was her Taskmaster series and holy crap did I love her! The choices she made, her sudden joy over a bit of music, her constant desire to take a nap, it all resonated with me on a deep level. I had the same experience reading her book but times 1000.

Listen to autistic people when they talk about their experiences. They're the experts. Read this and find some empathy for the never-ending struggle that is the autistic experience in society now.

It's also the first time I've ever wanted to listen to an audiobook( narrated by Fern herself!) and I'm so sad that my auditory processing issues plus her Scottish accent make that impossible.

This book is an absolute gem. 

A Gentleman's Gentleman by TJ Alexander

hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

This book is heartwarming and tragic and inspiring and so, so lovely!

I've read very few historical romances featuring trans characters that delve so deeply and intimately into the nuances of queer life in that time. It was beautifully done. The author did a brilliant job of painting a complete spectrum of emotion for Christopher and James, from the claustrophobic trapped feeling to the sad sacrifices to the absolute joy of freely living as yourself.

Plot, characters, pacing, historical atmosphere -- it all works so well. Please go read this joyously queer historical romance and support trans people everywhere!

Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord by Celeste Connally

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

2.5

Whose terrible idea was that last line?! I was all set to give this 3 stars and declare it 'fine' until I read that. I feel baited and misled -- it definitely killed what little interest I may have had in exploring more of this series.

While the book tries to explore a very interesting concept for the time, it doesn't do a good job. The pacing drags in the beginning! I skimmed so much and didn't miss anything. Once the action picks up, it moves at a better pace but almost too fast? There isn't enough time for key moments to breathe and settle.

There's no real mystery to this. It's very easy to see where the plot is going and to know who to trust and who not to. The characters are caricature-ish, too. I want to like Petra but she's naive and gives off a "not-like-the-other-girls" energy that makes it hard to connect with her.

I would've liked to see this topic and this social commentary explored in a deeper, more nuanced fashion. As it stands, I didn't enjoy much of this.

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and the author for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen

mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I devoured this book!

It's written so well. You're sucked in from the very beginning. If you're like me, you're questioning everything. But even I didn't see all the twists and turns coming and I'm usually pretty good at spotting them!

It felt cinematic. The pacing, the descriptions, the characters, the dialogue, the mystery -- it all works beautifully. The ending does wrap up a bit too quickly and neatly for the rest of it but that's my only complaint.

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and the author for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.