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_chrstnlvly's reviews
221 reviews
The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It was just alright. A decent way to kill some time while I did chores (I went with the audiobook version). Honestly, not sure if I'll keep going with the series since I've seen a bunch of reviews saying the next books aren't much better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent and Abandonment
The Answer is No by Fredrik Backman
You can't deny the way Backman masterfully weaves words. His writing is both humorous and deeply moving — even a short story left me in tears. The message, though simple, is always profound.
As an introvert, I found myself particularly connected to this story. Who would have thought that a tale about Lucas and a frying pan could have such a powerful impact?
I'm now fully convinced that nothing could ever make me dislike Backman's work.
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? No
5.0
You can make yourself happy if you don't let others make you unhappy.
You can't deny the way Backman masterfully weaves words. His writing is both humorous and deeply moving — even a short story left me in tears. The message, though simple, is always profound.
As an introvert, I found myself particularly connected to this story. Who would have thought that a tale about Lucas and a frying pan could have such a powerful impact?
I'm now fully convinced that nothing could ever make me dislike Backman's work.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death
The Dog Next Door: And Other Stories of the Dogs We Love by
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
4.0
The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
The Boyfriend is one of McFadden's weakest books. I used to turn to her novels to help with my reading slumps, but this book has actually put me in one. I just can't get engrossed in it like I have with her other works.
Sydney, the female main character, is one of the least likable protagonists I've encountered. While the plot is wild, it's not in a good way for a psychological thriller.
I'm not sure if I've read too many of McFadden's books by now or if the storyline in The Boyfriend really lacks strength, but her recent works seem to lack the surprise factor they used to have.
I think it might be time for me to take a break from reading McFadden's books for a while.
Sydney, the female main character, is one of the least likable protagonists I've encountered. While the plot is wild, it's not in a good way for a psychological thriller.
I'm not sure if I've read too many of McFadden's books by now or if the storyline in The Boyfriend really lacks strength, but her recent works seem to lack the surprise factor they used to have.
I think it might be time for me to take a break from reading McFadden's books for a while.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Stalking
Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult, Jennifer Finney Boylan
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Mad Honey pulled me out of a reading slump—I couldn't put this book down. I have been an avid reader of Jodi Picoult's works in the past, but lately, I've focused on fantasy and romance books. Mad Honey reminded me of why I love Picoult's writing.
However, I have to admit I felt betrayed by how the story unfolded. The plot twist around the halfway point completely unhinged me—not in a good way. It shifted the focus of the narrative to something entirely different. While it was still part of the story, it wasn't the plot I was expecting based on the blurb.
The ending also felt rushed. I didn't agree with the conclusion, especially after we finally learned what happened on that day. Ava's choices were also questionable. I understand that she only wanted Lily to be happy, but that doesn't mean she should give in to everything Lily desired. Ava could have waited a few more years before allowing Lily to pursue all the things Lily wanted. If Ava had made different choices, Lily might have grown stronger and wiser.
However, I have to admit I felt betrayed by how the story unfolded. The plot twist around the halfway point completely unhinged me—not in a good way. It shifted the focus of the narrative to something entirely different. While it was still part of the story, it wasn't the plot I was expecting based on the blurb.
The ending also felt rushed. I didn't agree with the conclusion, especially after we finally learned what happened on that day. Ava's choices were also questionable. I understand that she only wanted Lily to be happy, but that doesn't mean she should give in to everything Lily desired. Ava could have waited a few more years before allowing Lily to pursue all the things Lily wanted. If Ava had made different choices, Lily might have grown stronger and wiser.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Transphobia, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cursing, Misogyny, and Gaslighting
Echoes of You by Catherine Cowles
I found Maddie's choices really annoying. I caught myself rolling my eyes several times because of her poor decisions. Every time she made a bad choice, I had to put my Kindle down and remind myself to breathe. I understood where she was coming from, but some of her choices seemed stupid, especially when it came to her and her loved ones' safety. What irritated me even more was that people around her just coddled her with her choices instead of being honest about the mistakes she made. (PSA: I'm only referring to the bad choices she made after returning to Cedar Ridge, not before, so please don't come at me.)
I read this right after finishing Whispers of You, and Echoes of You felt like a copy-paste version of the former(main characters being in love since childhood, female main character [FMC] having a traumatic past, male main character [MMC] feeling the need to protect the FMC, FMC having a dog, similar form of attack on the FMC, the FMC being kidnapped... you get the point) . However, I still enjoyed it, but I can't shake off how similar the two books were.
If I liked the Hartleys in Whispers of You, I fell in love with them (and their small town) while reading Echoes of You. I can't seem to stop reading about these characters. I hope I'll get to see more of Roan, Caden and Aspen in the next books.
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
Never put up with anyone treating you with even a hint of cruelty. It’s always a sign of bad things to come.
I found Maddie's choices really annoying. I caught myself rolling my eyes several times because of her poor decisions. Every time she made a bad choice, I had to put my Kindle down and remind myself to breathe. I understood where she was coming from, but some of her choices seemed stupid, especially when it came to her and her loved ones' safety. What irritated me even more was that people around her just coddled her with her choices instead of being honest about the mistakes she made. (PSA: I'm only referring to the bad choices she made after returning to Cedar Ridge, not before, so please don't come at me.)
I read this right after finishing Whispers of You, and Echoes of You felt like a copy-paste version of the former
If I liked the Hartleys in Whispers of You, I fell in love with them (and their small town) while reading Echoes of You. I can't seem to stop reading about these characters. I hope I'll get to see more of Roan, Caden and Aspen in the next books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Murder, and Gaslighting
Whispers of You by Catherine Cowles
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
I really enjoyed how well-developed the main characters were, especially Wren. I admire her strength and resilience, and I aspire to be as kind as her. The only small issue I had was that I wish we had more background information on why her parents are the way they are, but that's just a minor complaint.
Whispers of You has the perfect balance of romance and mystery, keeping me engaged while also making me root for Holt and Wren. This was the first time I read a Catherine Cowles book, and it definitely won't be the last, especially now that I feel a strong connection to each of the characters.
Whispers of You has the perfect balance of romance and mystery, keeping me engaged while also making me root for Holt and Wren. This was the first time I read a Catherine Cowles book, and it definitely won't be the last, especially now that I feel a strong connection to each of the characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Stalking and Murder
Rosie and the Dreamboat by Sally Thorne
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Dialogue seemed forced, but I still enjoyed it despite the cliché damsel-in-distress-gets-saved-by-a-man storyline.
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
emotional
mysterious
slow-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
4.75
I didn't get into Piranesi by Susanna Clarke until about 30% of the way through the book. However, I don't fault the author because she did a great job creating an intriguing world. Once I got past that point, I found myself engrossed in the story and eager to find out what would happen next.
I'm still not entirely sure what my key takeaway from the book is, but perhaps it's about the human need for connection - there's a part of you deep in your heart that longs for companionship and social interaction. Maybe the book also suggests that periods of isolation can be beneficial, allowing us to reflect and become comfortable with ourselves.
It might even be a reminder for me to start journaling again, capturing the mundane details of life so that I can look back and remember who I was. Perhaps it's also about rediscovering my curiosity about people and the unique experiences that have shaped them.
Maybe it's the reminder that throughout our lives, we may become versions of ourselves that feel unfamiliar, but that's a natural part of growth. It's not something we should be afraid of because as people say, "We are the sum of our experiences."
If you're looking for a book with a captivating world and a mysterious atmosphere, even if it's light on plot, then Piranesi might be the perfect choice for you.
I'm still not entirely sure what my key takeaway from the book is, but perhaps it's about the human need for connection - there's a part of you deep in your heart that longs for companionship and social interaction. Maybe the book also suggests that periods of isolation can be beneficial, allowing us to reflect and become comfortable with ourselves.
It might even be a reminder for me to start journaling again, capturing the mundane details of life so that I can look back and remember who I was. Perhaps it's also about rediscovering my curiosity about people and the unique experiences that have shaped them.
Maybe it's the reminder that throughout our lives, we may become versions of ourselves that feel unfamiliar, but that's a natural part of growth. It's not something we should be afraid of because as people say, "We are the sum of our experiences."
If you're looking for a book with a captivating world and a mysterious atmosphere, even if it's light on plot, then Piranesi might be the perfect choice for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Forced institutionalization, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Mental illness and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Every Summer After by Carley Fortune
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? Yes
2.75
I strongly disliked many aspects of this book.
The author failed to provide compelling reasons for me to care about the characters. I found all the characters to be uninteresting and shallow. Both the young and old versions of Sam were unlikeable, and I cannot comprehend why Percy was initially drawn to him.I was frustrated by how easily Percy gave in to Charlie, which indicated immaturity on her part (to be fair, both Sam and Percy displayed immaturity and should have listened to their parents). I also disliked Charlie's arrogant attitude. The book seemed to trivialize the act of cheating, particularly when Sam quickly forgave Percy and even apologized to her for supposedly giving her a "reason" to cheat.
The plot was tedious and the pacing was slow. The twist in the story felt forced, and I was not too fond of the way cheating was portrayed as justifiable. The dialogue felt repetitive, and the descriptions lacked depth. The romantic interactions between Sam and Percy were cringeworthy, making the book feel more like young adult fiction rather than adult fiction. The buildup to the dramatic revelation felt prolonged, only for the author to hastily conclude the story.
This book felt like a ripoff of Love and Other Words, with the added twist of the female main charactercheating with the male main character's brother.
Overall, I would not recommend this book.
The author failed to provide compelling reasons for me to care about the characters. I found all the characters to be uninteresting and shallow. Both the young and old versions of Sam were unlikeable, and I cannot comprehend why Percy was initially drawn to him.
The plot was tedious and the pacing was slow. The twist in the story felt forced, and I was not too fond of the way cheating was portrayed as justifiable. The dialogue felt repetitive, and the descriptions lacked depth. The romantic interactions between Sam and Percy were cringeworthy, making the book feel more like young adult fiction rather than adult fiction. The buildup to the dramatic revelation felt prolonged, only for the author to hastily conclude the story.
This book felt like a ripoff of Love and Other Words, with the added twist of the female main character
Overall, I would not recommend this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Death
Minor: Cancer