agiecummings's reviews
365 reviews

Accidentally Amy by Lynn Painter

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funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

4.5

For me, Lynn Painter never misses. And I think after reading this I’ve figured out why. At the beginning of this book I wasn’t totally on board with the MMC Blake, but she wrote him in a way where his personality unfolded for me, the reader, just like it did for the FMC Izzy and through that she totally changed my mind about him and this story.

Izzy and Blake are such a lovely example of “enemies” to friends to lovers in a way that has you just kicking your feet by the end. An absolute treat to read and to witness. ❤️

P.S. I’m not going to act like I didn’t notice Blake’s brother’s name was Jason and his wife’s name was Kylie. 🦅🏈
The Favorites by Layne Fargo

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dark emotional inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

What an absolutely spellbinding and insane ride. Beautifully written, with a little of the Daisy Jones vibes with the interview aspect. 

My hands are literally shaking. I read the last section “The Last Time” in one sitting but had to put the book down and pace multiple times because I was so stressed. What magnificent storytelling - absolutely captivating from beginning to end. It felt like I was reading a memoir of an actual event (not to bring it back to Daisy Jones), and damn I am floored.

The way I thought I knew where this book was going every section and quite literally never did. Just breathtaking.
Once Smitten, Twice Shy by Chloe Liese

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Chloe has done it again. Her Shakespeare retellings in this series have been so fun to watch unfold. And the last one being a Twelfth Night retelling that also has flavors of the best adaptation of that story in modern media, She’s the Man, makes it an absolute knockout. 

I found myself almost skipping lines to get to Juliet and Will realizing they actually love each other. It was so obvious. But Will coming to that realization after talking to his dad was so precious.

I’m not normally a soulmates/love at first sight girlie, and I think that’s the only qualm I have about this story in general. Chloe deftly handles that as a trope, but I just don’t think it will ever be my fave. Just too kismet-y for me.

But that was delicious.
Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book is absolutely delicious. This is rivals to lovers done just right. Banter, backstory (on their rivalry), new scenarios, and just a lot of fun. When Emily and Jackson finally put down their battle axes they are actually so cute together and it makes total sense. 

Also, Emily, you sweet, sometimes lonely, perfectionist teacher. I see you and I get you so wholeheartedly. ❤️🥹😭

P.S. I absolutely adore the When in Rome series and Sarah Adams tells each sibling’s story so beautifully. I’m certain the next one will be about Madison (and James?) and I absolutely cannot wait.
PS: I Hate You by Lauren Connolly

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I went on a bit of an emotional roller coaster with this book. If I’d read it all in one sitting I feel like I would have given it 5⭐️, but having breaks in between made me have time to get annoyed at Maddie (or Dom) depending on where I paused. But in the end, the beautiful story of grief and how they grappled with it (and her brother’s love story subplot) really brought me around and I ended up loving it.

Also, big shout out to Lauren for getting Maddie a therapist near the end. And for making Dom just make the move to Maddie so she could know he was legit about wanting to be with her. It was a long, meandering journey, but one I ultimately loved going on. Absolutely precious. ❤️😭
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Ready or Not by Cara Bastone

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emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

This book was absolutely precious. As someone loves kids but low key hates the idea of being pregnant, an accidental pregnancy trope is not something I normally gravitate towards. But Cara Bastone did a beautiful job of capturing what she calls “the romance of normal love stories.” And this one was beautiful.

Shep is the cutest. And call me silly but I love when the MMC has been in love with the FMC for a long time but didn’t know how to say anything. Especially in a friends-to-lovers moment. Shep is everything to Eve and therefore everything to me. 

That sweet baby is going to be so loved and Eve and Shep are going to be such lovely parents together. And honestly, I deserved an epilogue to confirm that for me. That’s my only note. ❤️
Ghosts by Dolly Alderton

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emotional funny hopeful slow-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

4.5

Halfway through this got hella good. The story took a beautiful turn into a conversation around what actually matters and the reality of being a single 33-year-old woman in a way that I should have expected from Dolly Alderton, but still made my heart ache (complimentary).

Reading Dolly’s books has been a surprise delight. I was a little skeptical after all the hype they had received from others, but she really does do a beautiful job of writing from the POV of a Millennial woman in such a beautiful but accurate way that is just so impressive. Love her and loved this book.
Children's Mathematics, Second Edition: Cognitively Guided Instruction by Thomas P. Carpenter, Elizabeth Fennema, Megan Loef Franke

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informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

Another book I read for work. Clear, actionable examples and explanation of the Cognitively Guided Instruction approach to teaching mathematics. Definitely recommend to teachers looking to ensure their math practice is best aligned to meeting student needs and pushing their strategical thinking.
Figuring Out Fluency in Mathematics Teaching and Learning, Grades K-8: Moving Beyond Basic Facts and Memorization by Jennifer M Bay-Williams, John J. SanGiovanni

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informative slow-paced

5.0

I’ve been reading this book for work (I write math curriculum) and this was super helpful because it defines math fluency in a concrete and clear way, and includes the insight of new research on what the actual definition of math fluency actually is.

Super easy to read/use with lots of good examples of activities.
Collide by Bal Khabra

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emotional funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I am such a simp for a hockey romance where the guy is absolutely *obsessed* with the girl. And this delivers on that to the max. Bal Khabra made Aiden a well-adjusted man who went to therapy and that made it so much better.

Also, no third act breakup/miscommunication trope will always be 5⭐️ in my book. Taking a page out of Hannah Grace’s book, we love to see it.