whenimreading's reviews
985 reviews

Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced

4.0

The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton

adventurous lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced

3.5

The Last Murder at the End of the World has such a cool sci-fi mystery premise that I was very excited to read. It took me a few chapters to get used to the audiobook narrator, but I very much enjoyed his delivery and found it rather charming. It added a wonderful quirky layer to the story and its characters. 

There were plenty of characters to keep track of, jumping views but mostly being told by the island’s AI, Abi. This had a very textbook whodunnit murder plot and due to the scientists meddling, no one was a reliable character which made the book that more mysterious (or confusing, depends how you look at it!). I really liked Emory and her daughter Clara, with their strained relationship, they stood out amongst the others.

I was super intrigued by the strange circumstances of the island and the event that caused the end of the world as we know it. I think that’s what kept me going in the book because it was a little too long. I enjoyed all the details we got about the characters and the relationships with their loved ones, it was a little reflective and existential, strange but entertaining. 3.5⭐️

Thank you to Netgalley and Tantor Audio for the audiobook review copy. 

Mirrored Heavens by Rebecca Roanhorse

adventurous emotional inspiring mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

5.0

An epic and masterful journey. This is my top favorite fantasy series and I’m super sad it’s over!

The characters are the best, the way their stories weave together, collide and separate, and collide again is a fantastic plot device that kept me invested in every little clue. There’s another prophecy and so much depth added to previous events and character back stories. Just wow. I love Xiala and Serapio! Many secondary characters got to really shine as well. The magic is incredible and world building some of the best in my opinion - a creative matriarchal society with gods, majestic flying beasts, and sea creatures, I’m a little obsessed. Although I was left with more questions, I feel very connected to the characters and will look back at this trilogy with teary fondness 🖤

Thank you to Saga Press for the early review copy, it was everything and more. 

This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune

lighthearted medium-paced

3.5

In all honesty I don’t know how to rate this book because it ended up being completely different from what I was expecting and that’s not a bad thing at all. I’m landing at 3.5⭐️ and here is why you should read this book:

If you like easy going stories about friendship with a little bit of romance that isn’t necessarily the center of attention, this is a great read for you!

This was very lighthearted and had amazing summery atmosphere, I just loved the setting and all the details about Prince Edward Island, it’s going on my unofficial ’island I want to visit’ list. Oysters!!! So. Many. Oysters. It was just enjoyable. I was expecting a tearjerker romance but I’m happy with this read!

Aj Bridel does an amazing job narrating, I just loved her Canadian accent coming through at times, she really made this audiobook a delightful experience. 

Swift and Saddled by Lyla Sage

funny lighthearted medium-paced

5.0

Another winner tbh!

I loved Ada and Wes, they were so cute! I’m having too much fun with this series. The Ryder men are to die for. Amos is the most meddling matchmaker!!! I’m calling Cam and Dusty for book 4??? IDK if that was announced lol

Ada was so relatable!! And even Wes, I have my own middle-child syndrome 🤪

I loved the family and girlfriends vibes. The animals were adorbs, and the banter is SO GOOD between all the couples - I. Need. More. 

Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

5.0

I LOVED this book - the characters! The setting! So fun!

LUKE BROOKS 🤠

“I couldn’t believe the universe was so big, and I got placed on this random floating rock at the same time as Clementine Ryder.”

❤️

James by Percival Everett

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

I don’t think I remember the original adventures of Huckleberry but I appreciated the storytelling from Jim’s perspective. This is a dark time in our history, the endurance and perseverance showcased here is admirable. There were moments of brightness in the book, interactions between Jim and Huck, and Norman, all on this journey to return and free his wife and daughter. Jim kept hiding the fact that he was educated, slipping here and there in the way he spoke - that really broke my heart. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs and Slavery

Moderate: Rape

Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle

2.0

At their fifteen year high school reunion, old high school sweethearts Molly and Sean make a bet. Out of their friends, which couple will stay together or break up in the next five years? The catch is, they are one of the couples. Seth is looking for his soulmate, and Molly is a reluctant romance screenwriter, child of divorce and definitely doesn’t believe in soulmates. We follow them for the next five years through chance encounters and long distance meetings, all in the search for true love. 

The premise of this book really seemed like a fun summer romcom but it fell short for me. I did not connect with the characters and I did not believe they had any chemistry. The book was easy enough to follow, there is a lot (A LOT) of dialogue, emails, text messages, but besides a few explicit sexual encounters, not a lot of romance substance.

Important to mention, this is happening over the course of five years and falling right in the middle of the Covid pandemic. There are a lot of references to this time period and a third act breakup. I was disappointed in the lack of character development, Molly didn’t show any growth especially with the passage of time, there needed to be a therapy plot in this so badly, for the daddy issues to start. She admits to Seth that she’s an emotionally stunted person but does absolutely nothing to get help. 

The audiobook was performed by Christine Lakin and Tim Paige, jumping between the two POVs. I thought Christine’s delivery was better than Tim’s, unfortunately I just didn’t care for the story and ended up listening on the fastest speed just to finish quicker. The excessive emails and text messages were getting tedious to listen to, but I did like the characters’ banter for the most part. 

While this didn’t resonate with me, it may with others as a lighthearted spicy read at the beach or pool. 

Thank you to Flatiron Books and Macmillan Audio for the advance copies to review. 

It's Not Hysteria: Everything You Need to Know About Your Reproductive Health by Karen Tang

informative

5.0

This book was very educational, detailing many reproductive health concerns for women as well as gynecological issues for transgender women. I appreciated the narration done by the author herself, it really showcased her knowledge about the various topics and her passion for healthcare really stood out. The historical background and the treatment of women’s healthcare since recorded times was really eye opening. Truly to this day, many women’s issues are dismissed and not taken as seriously as men’s, especially for women of color. 

Split into three parts, Dr. Tang explains many known health conditions, possible causes, as well as currently available treatments. Reiterating that many of the issues lack medical studies because women of child bearing age were not allowed to be tested. Overall, this is a very informative collection of work, that I think would benefit medical professionals or someone interested in their own reproductive health. 

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the audiobook copy to review. 

Savor It by Tarah DeWitt

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

5.0

This book brought me so much joy - I have to give huge compliments to narrators Karissa Vacker and Zachary Webber! Their performances were engaging, exciting, and so much fun! Unlike the title, I binged it in two days!

🏡Small town

🪿Menagerie

🥦Foodie

❤️Family

🌿Sage advice

🌶️A little spice

Set in the small town of Spunes, Oregon (NOT to be confused with Forks, Washington). A wonderfully sweet small town romance between the town golden girl Sage Byrd and New York chef Fisher Lange. This book had me laughing with its silliness and then crying by the end. Every single character was so likable, Sage was a great friend, well rounded person, and sunshine personality. Fisher had that marshmallow heart everyone will be falling over. They both had history of sad events in their past that just pulled at my heartstrings. Their connection was undeniable.

All the animals (their names!) and farm shenanigans were to die for, the puns, and a couple Twilight callbacks are just few of my favorite things. Overall well written and I enjoyed it thoroughly. The sweet and spicy romance to start off the summer, highly recommend to fans of Abby Jimenez or Sarah Adams!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio of the listening review copy.