agiecummings's reviews
372 reviews

Reckless by Lauren Roberts

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adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Wow I was a little skeptical after book one, but after reading her second book I now see how her style works and I’m 100% on board. And 1000% behind Paedyn and Kai being in love. And the stakes being even higher after he finally finds her and brings her home to Ilya? Insane.

I can’t believe that it took so much darkness for me to find the light in Kai and Paedyn’s story, but I’m all in now. I absolutely adore them and I need them to find a way to be together and save Ilya from tyranny in the process. 

This series is a bit of The Selection, a bit of The Hunger Games, and a bit of Divergent/X Men and I love all of those things so I’m very excited for the final part of the trilogy to come out in 2025. I need to see how this surprise marriage proposal is going to play out 👀!!
Only Santas in the Building by Alexis Daria

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

4.5

This novella/short story just reminded me how much I love Alexis Daria. Her stories are so fun to read and Evie and Theo perfectly fit the bill. They’re so sweet with each other as they figure out how they want to relate to each other (and how admitting their feelings for each other will affect their daily lives).

But overall they were super cute and I loved seeing so much of myself in Evie. 😭❤️

P.S. Would have been 5⭐️ if the epilogue had been more than a week later. That messed up the pacing in a way that I didn’t like. 🙈
Merriment and Mayhem by Alexandria Bellefleur

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

4.5

I thought this was the cutest of the set yet. I think Griffin and Everleigh were both so precious and made for a cutie little modern damsel-in-distress being saved by a firefighter. Honestly, a bit on the nose in terms of a fantasy come to life but it was so fun to read.

I’ve never read a book by Alexandria before so now I need to check out her catalog now!
All by My Elf by Olivia Dade

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emotional funny hopeful fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes

3.0

This was cute. A little epilogue might have helped. For all we know, this was a one-time hookup and they’ll never speak again. But it was a little cute story about two coworkers giving into their crushes, which was adorable.
Merry Ever After by Tessa Bailey

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lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I think my issue with these little short stories is that there just isn’t enough time to get to know the characters in order to make their stories make sense and feel reasonable. And Evie and Luke are such a good example of this. Like these two could have a rich story on their own, but we don’t really get any explanation of either part in a meaningful way. And then it’s just like “oh they love each other.” 

P.S. We didn’t need Evie to be a mom. If you’re going to do that, make it purposeful and honest. We didn’t do that.

P.P.S. We get it. He’s big. Not sure I needed it to be brought up that often.
Cruel Winter with You by Ali Hazelwood

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emotional mysterious sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I loved the second-chance romance aspect of this, but there was just a little too much in terms of how quickly we had to get on board with Marc being in love with Jamie. Honestly, I would have loved to read a whole book about them, not just a quick little novella. 

But Ali Hazelwood is my girl and even if I didn’t love this story, it’s mostly cause I wanted more of it and I know Ali would absolutely *eat* if she made this a full novel.
Heartbreak Is the National Anthem: How Taylor Swift Reinvented Pop Music by Rob Sheffield

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emotional funny informative medium-paced

4.0

This book loses a star for the way this man writes about the songs/things he doesn’t like across Taylor’s discography and history as if everyone agrees with him. Spoiler alert: some people actually like “ME!” It’s me, I’m people.

Either way, a fascinating look at the life and songs of our best girl, Taylor MF-ing Swift. 🩷
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney

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dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book took me so long to read. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. But it was one of those books that was hard to stop and then pick back up because of the long lengths of the chapters. Accordingly, I recommend reading in one sitting (or in longer sittings overall).

In the end, I thought this was a beautiful and accurate representation of how grief can affect people (in the short and long term), particularly their relationships. I’m so glad these brothers find their way: both in their relationships and back to each other. But overall I wasn’t super invested in them as character as I have been with all other Sally Rooney books I’ve read in the past. But overall, signature Sally: well written and compelling from p. 1 ❤️
Good Material by Dolly Alderton

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emotional funny reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This book ended up being so beautiful. Dolly Alderton did a beautiful job switching the narrator at the end to fill in the other perspective beautifully and tie the whole story together. That being said, my only critique of this book was spending 85% of it in the head of a 35-year-old insecure man. That almost did my head in and I wanted to punch him. But we redeemed him in the end. But Jen, you’re my girl. ❤️
Everything I Know About Love: A Memoir by Dolly Alderton

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

I don’t think I’ve ever read a memoir by someone my own age, but wow how special to feel so *seen.* Dolly’s raw emotions and truthful storytelling speaks to the Millennial girlies with the kindness of a sister and the strength of a woman beyond her years.

She speaks to the importance of therapy, friendship, and love. And the way she describes female friendship as her model for love in the final chapters is absolutely life-affirming. Not to get too mushy over here.

Absolutely beautiful. Even not having the exact same experiences as her, I still see myself in her. 🩷