tneumann's reviews
91 reviews

Rules For Ghosting by Shelly Jay Shore

emotional hopeful inspiring

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

Give Me More by Sara Cate

3.5

Everyone I Kissed Since You Got Famous by Mae Marvel

4.5

Incredibly smart banter between these two, which made it enjoyable but I had to reread some parts because it went over my head the first time. Smart readers will absolutely adore this.

PS: I Hate You by Lauren Connolly

4.75

Maddie & Dom’s love-grief story. 

Maddie is highly sarcastic, closed off a coping mechanism, and at times was frustrating to read because she just wouldn’t communicate or let people in. But given her upbringing, it made sense and she had emotional growth towards the end (wish it was sooner but also relatable that it wasn’t). And while this is a romance, friendship was such a central element to the story - really enjoyed having that weaved through. Fun and funny supporting characters. 

Other People's Clothes by Calla Henkel

challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Slow burn of Zoe & Hailey’s descent into paranoia and obsession and then two thirds in, the subsequent crime and we fly through to the end. This story is about friendship, identity & obsession, the pursuit of fame and art, paved with sex, drugs & alcohol set in Berlin, on the cusp of social media. This one will stick with me for a while, especially the very end.

Killer Cocktails: Dangerous Drinks Inspired by History's Most Nefarious Criminals by Maria Trimarchi, Holly Frey

4.5

Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson

4.25

Lana is an auto-read auto-buy for me. She managed to write a Loch Ness monster romance that had some heart, mystery, plenty of fun, and didn’t take itself too seriously - and I mean that in the best of ways. There’s a theme of grief threaded through, which will always get me.

Is She Really Going Out with Him? by Sophie Cousens

emotional hopeful inspiring

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

5.0

Once Upon a December by Amy E. Reichert

3.5

Fun premise + magical realism, plenty of Milwaukee references and Christmas spirit. Good December/winter read, evoking lots of cozy feelings. 

The PLAN: Manage Your Time Like a Lazy Genius by Kendra Adachi

4.0

Some really great tactics to apply plus permission to rethink the whole productivity industrial complex! This builds on the Lazy Genius principles without that being required reading.  I’ll be able to incorporate these concepts into my personal as well as professional life.