themanicuredreader's reviews
333 reviews

Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan

emotional reflective fast-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

4.0

So, so good. Could not put it down. I loved the summer setting & the heartbreak & history between Sam, Wyatt, & their families. Some of it felt a little far-fetched, but I love stories where characters find themselves & go back to who they always were/who they were supposed to be. 

Happy Place by Emily Henry

emotional reflective 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

5.0

Bestie Emily Henry never misses. I absolutely loved the friendships in this book & the magical summers spent in Knott’s Harbor. For a lot of the book, I couldn’t figure out who Harriett was. She didn’t seem to have a good sense of herself, & it frustrated me. In true EmHen fashion, we discovered more about Harriett as she learned more about herself. This book really made me think about the importance of what makes me happy, what matters, and these two quotes stood out: 

“What was school if not a chance to earn your worth? To prove, again and again, that you were measurably good. One more deal I struck with a disinterested universe: If I’m good enough, I’ll be happy. I’ll be loved. I’ll be safe. Instead, I’ve pushed away everyone I love.” 

“Your job doesn’t have to be your identity. It can just be a place you go, that doesn’t define you or make you miserable. You deserve to be happy.” 

The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue

emotional funny reflective fast-paced

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

5.0

What a phenomenal, unputdownable book! I loved following Rachel & James’s year on Shandon Street, what they got up to, their banter. I was both frustrated & enamored with them. A perfect read to keep the pages turning! 

Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

emotional funny hopeful fast-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? No

5.0

I loved this book and these characters so much. I swear every Abby Jimenez book gets better & better. This book was laugh-out-loud funny. It shows what it means to be in a gentle & delicate relationship, & it handles mental health in a really honest way. It does have one of my least favorite tropes, but I didn’t want that to knock this down a star. 

Call It What You Want by Alissa DeRogatis

fast-paced

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

2.0

Unfortunately got caught up in the fact that this book was like a Taylor Swift song in novel form. Couldn’t be further from the truth. The characters were flat & unlikable, & I’m all for unlikable characters. The situations they were in were unrealistic. They drink SO MUCH. How can they afford that on entry level salaries in NYC? Don’t trust TikTok. 

Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler

emotional reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

I didn’t know what to expect going into ADELAIDE, but I was blown away by the beauty of the writing, the emotion in the story, & the connection I made with the characters. Easily a favorite of the year, & I’ll be thinking about Adelaide for a long time to come! 

Twenty Years Later by Charlie Donlea

dark mysterious slow-paced

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

3.0

You can tell this book & its female main character were written by a man. It was definitely compelling in the mystery of it all, but it was slow for me. I was interested in the plot points — Victoria Ford more than Garth Montgomery — & I wish we got more out of the Victoria storyline. 

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume

funny lighthearted fast-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

5.0

A true delight & comfort read. Can’t believe I’ve never read this one! Surprisingly deep commentary on religion from a 12 year old, but not surprising when it’s coming from Queen Judy Blume. Greatest author of all time. 

Hey Ladies!: The Story of 8 Best Friends, 1 Year, and Way, Way Too Many Emails by Michelle Markowitz, Caroline Moss

funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.0

Amusing & very aware at times, but these characters were just hard to read about. Are wedding parties really this insufferable? As someone who is part of several weddings this year, I’m glad the wedding parties are not like these characters! 

Reign by Katharine McGee

emotional funny hopeful tense medium-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? It's complicated

5.0

Five stars, need I say more? I love, love, love this series, & after not particularly loving the events of book three, I’m happy to say that this book offers the perfect conclusion. I don’t know what Katharine McGee puts in these books, but I can never put them down while trying to savor them at the same time. I’m hyper-fixating on “Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince” & the entire LOVER album, because this series aligns so well with these songs. I am so invested in each of the main character’s relationships — both romantic & friendships. I actually squealed at one part of this book?! All of this makes up for the amnesia plot line. Overall, a really strong conclusion for a series I’ve loved since 2019. I hope McGee decides to give us a life update on these characters at some point. Or maybe a TV adaptation?!