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234 reviews
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
4.0
A solid YA fantasy fiction with a great plot, great characters and great magic system.
The ending was predictable for me but I still enjoyed the twist. I definitely understand why this is rated so highly. Hopefully the rest of the series holds up to the first book!
The ending was predictable for me but I still enjoyed the twist. I definitely understand why this is rated so highly. Hopefully the rest of the series holds up to the first book!
An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn
4.0
I don’t know what it is about these books that make me want to read them in 24hrs but here we are 3rd time around finishing it at 1am once again!
The feminist in me forgets to keep in mind the time period in which these books are set and so the chauvinistic behaviours need to be given somewhat of a pass. Benedict was certainly a bit of an arse in the beginning but he did reflect later on and understood he behaved poorly so a thumbs up for that.
Read it if you enjoy an easy to read, endearing, historical romance book.
Don’t read it if you want surprising twist endings or thought provoking literature.
The feminist in me forgets to keep in mind the time period in which these books are set and so the chauvinistic behaviours need to be given somewhat of a pass. Benedict was certainly a bit of an arse in the beginning but he did reflect later on and understood he behaved poorly so a thumbs up for that.
Read it if you enjoy an easy to read, endearing, historical romance book.
Don’t read it if you want surprising twist endings or thought provoking literature.
Un-cook Yourself: A Ratbag's Rules for Life by Nat's What I Reckon
4.0
Nat shares his life story, the good, the bad and the ugly but always with good humour and PLENTY of swearing!
Read it if you hate red sausages (aka mystery pig sticks
Read it if you hate red sausages (aka mystery pig sticks
Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala
3.0
An easy to read murder mystery with mouthwatering food descriptions. The characters had no depth and the grief over a man’s murder was lacking but the story was interesting enough to keep you engaged. It’s no ground breaking literature but a good weekend read.
Read it if you’re looking for a light-hearted, whodunnit mystery with real world representation.
Don’t read it if you’re hungry... seriously the food descriptions in this book is mouth watering and she’s eating on almost every page!!
In all seriousness though don’t read it if you’re triggered by police harassment and evidence tampering.
Read it if you’re looking for a light-hearted, whodunnit mystery with real world representation.
Don’t read it if you’re hungry... seriously the food descriptions in this book is mouth watering and she’s eating on almost every page!!
In all seriousness though don’t read it if you’re triggered by police harassment and evidence tampering.
Reckoning: A Memoir by Magda Szubanski
5.0
Magda has written such a beautiful memoir. Her writing style and use of language was a joy to behold, the similes used were masterfully crafted drawing a vivid picture for the reader. I loved listening to her and her many accents and highly recommend the audiobook.
It’s easy to forget sometimes that comedians who create such hilarious and relatable characters like Sharon Strzelecki could be using their talents to disguise their personal trauma and insecurities. Reckoning is a memoir about unpacking intergenerational trauma and discovering how events that occurred prior to an individual’s birth can affect their own future and personality.
Read it if you want a beautifully written memoir about uncovering the truth of family history and coming to terms with one’s own sexuality.
Don’t read it if you only want the funny side of Magda Szubanski. She is so much more than her comedic career and you’d be remiss to skip over her story.
It’s easy to forget sometimes that comedians who create such hilarious and relatable characters like Sharon Strzelecki could be using their talents to disguise their personal trauma and insecurities. Reckoning is a memoir about unpacking intergenerational trauma and discovering how events that occurred prior to an individual’s birth can affect their own future and personality.
Read it if you want a beautifully written memoir about uncovering the truth of family history and coming to terms with one’s own sexuality.
Don’t read it if you only want the funny side of Magda Szubanski. She is so much more than her comedic career and you’d be remiss to skip over her story.
To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn
2.0
All the Bridgerton books challenge the feminist in me but I managed to look past it reminding myself they are period fiction and the misogyny is apt for that time. This one however was just too much. Phillip is awful! Eloise was a strong and independent woman (as independent as a woman could be in that time) but here she was constantly belittled and ridiculed I just couldn’t stand it.
This book lacked any of the charm the others had save for the relationship Eloise forms with Oliver and Amanda. I’d say skip over this one if you can stand to leave a series incomplete.
Read it if you simply must complete the Bridgerton series.
Don’t read it if you are triggered by depression and suicide.
This book lacked any of the charm the others had save for the relationship Eloise forms with Oliver and Amanda. I’d say skip over this one if you can stand to leave a series incomplete.
Read it if you simply must complete the Bridgerton series.
Don’t read it if you are triggered by depression and suicide.
When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn
4.0
I wasn’t sure going into this one. Throughout the series you’re slowly introduced to the other siblings but Francesca is hardly mentioned at all except to say she was in Scotland and widowed but there were very few interactions with her so I wasn’t sure I’d be connected with her story.
Turns out her story is probably the most touching in that it deals with grief, guilt and finding love again after the loss of a spouse. It was very easy to grow an attachment to her and Michael.
Real talk though… the Bridgerton series is no literary marvel but they are entertaining and a super quick light hearted read in between heavy topic books, and the sexy scenes are just a bonus
Turns out her story is probably the most touching in that it deals with grief, guilt and finding love again after the loss of a spouse. It was very easy to grow an attachment to her and Michael.
Real talk though… the Bridgerton series is no literary marvel but they are entertaining and a super quick light hearted read in between heavy topic books, and the sexy scenes are just a bonus
The Girls I've Been by Tess Sharpe
“Katie taught me fear. Not of men. I already knew to fear them, because don’t all girls learn, in the end?”
Nora has become a hostage in a bank robbery gone wrong but she isn’t just your average 17yo. She has a complicated past and more useful skills than the criminals bargained for.
Slips in and out of present day and delves into Nora’s past revealing bit by bit the events that led her to where she is today. The story is gripping and the characters are relatable and incredibly well written.
So excited to see how they adapt this into a movie with Millie Bobbie Brown!
Read it if you love morally grey characters with a complicated past.
Don’t read it if you’re triggered by child molestation and domestic abuse.
5.0
“Katie taught me fear. Not of men. I already knew to fear them, because don’t all girls learn, in the end?”
Nora has become a hostage in a bank robbery gone wrong but she isn’t just your average 17yo. She has a complicated past and more useful skills than the criminals bargained for.
Slips in and out of present day and delves into Nora’s past revealing bit by bit the events that led her to where she is today. The story is gripping and the characters are relatable and incredibly well written.
So excited to see how they adapt this into a movie with Millie Bobbie Brown!
Read it if you love morally grey characters with a complicated past.
Don’t read it if you’re triggered by child molestation and domestic abuse.
Girl Reporter by Tansy Rayner Roberts
Someone hook Tansy up with a graphic illustrator coz this story NEEDS to be adapted into a graphic novel! I just need to see Megadethra’s domain in all its retro glory!
Such a fun novella, If you can get your hands on Kaleidoscope, a book of short stories, it has the origin story of Joey aka Solar and it’ll set you up nicely for this book.
Read it if you enjoy a good superhero novella with real world diversity. Who wouldn’t want to read about a superhero with a physical disability?
Don’t read it if…
4.0
Someone hook Tansy up with a graphic illustrator coz this story NEEDS to be adapted into a graphic novel! I just need to see Megadethra’s domain in all its retro glory!
Such a fun novella, If you can get your hands on Kaleidoscope, a book of short stories, it has the origin story of Joey aka Solar and it’ll set you up nicely for this book.
Read it if you enjoy a good superhero novella with real world diversity. Who wouldn’t want to read about a superhero with a physical disability?
Don’t read it if…
Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover
4.0
It took me a while to pick this book up still having a Colleen Hoover book hangover after the emotional roller coaster that was “It Ends With Us” back in January I wasn’t sure my heart could take another beating so soon.
Turns out I was a little emotionally stunted from this book. I found it difficult believing Miles and Rachel’s relationship, it was so intense and passionate not one I could believe 18 year olds could be in. Or am I just a cynical 35yo who at 18 only ever had shallow and awkward relationships
Turns out I was a little emotionally stunted from this book. I found it difficult believing Miles and Rachel’s relationship, it was so intense and passionate not one I could believe 18 year olds could be in. Or am I just a cynical 35yo who at 18 only ever had shallow and awkward relationships