theshelfedit's reviews
39 reviews

The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose

2.0

Penance by Eliza Clark

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

The Last Party by Clare Mackintosh

dark tense fast-paced

4.0

None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell

dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Happy Place by Emily Henry

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad 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

4.0

I LOVED THIS SM OMGGG 

You probably know I’m not a huge romcom girlie and the only other Emily Henry book I’ve read is Book Lovers, which I thought was cute but just okay, so I’m honestly shocked I enjoyed this as much as I did but so glad I picked it up 

I think I loved it this much because it’s not a light fluffy romance read. If that’s what you’re picking it up for, you’ll probably be pretty disappointed! It has a gorgy beach cottage setting, a millennial friendship group, the tension between Harriet and her ex finance, Wyn, a female friendship that’s goes back a decade and what it’s like to move through your twenties into your thirties and all the changes and decisions that come with that. It really felt like a contemporary with lots of character development and growth. 

I know Happy Place has its criticisms and I’ve seen some reviews complain that they didn’t buy the friendship or believe in Harriet and Wyn but I thought it was *chefs kiss* 

Pretend I'm Dead by Jen Beagin

dark emotional funny mysterious sad medium-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

4.0

Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

5.0

Big Swiss by Jen Beagin

adventurous dark funny mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

adventurous emotional lighthearted sad 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

Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson

funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0