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agiecummings's reviews
365 reviews
Daydream by Hannah Grace
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
5.0
I am nothing if not a Hannah Grace stan. At the end of the day, I can’t hear any criticism against my girl. I think her books are perfect. I love the wordiness, I love the couples, and I love how she crafts intricate stories about interesting people to make you fall in love with them and then fall in love with each other
And Henry and Halle are no exception. Was this a bit cheesy in places? Sure. But did I absolutely devour it in basically one sitting while kicking my feet? Absolutely. I think Henry was such a good match for Halle. And the found family and friendship and ultimately love that they find with each other is absolutely stunning to watch develop. I’d honestly read 3 more books about them: 1 about their summer in NYC, 1 about their senior year, and 1 about them navigating adulthood/getting married. I love them that much.
And, while they have a typical breakdown in their relationship, the fact that they never actually broke up was so beautiful. And the grand gesture? Catch me sobbing.
10/10 no notes. And now I just need to reread the whole series again. JK but kinda not.
And Henry and Halle are no exception. Was this a bit cheesy in places? Sure. But did I absolutely devour it in basically one sitting while kicking my feet? Absolutely. I think Henry was such a good match for Halle. And the found family and friendship and ultimately love that they find with each other is absolutely stunning to watch develop. I’d honestly read 3 more books about them: 1 about their summer in NYC, 1 about their senior year, and 1 about them navigating adulthood/getting married. I love them that much.
And, while they have a typical breakdown in their relationship, the fact that they never actually broke up was so beautiful. And the grand gesture? Catch me sobbing.
10/10 no notes. And now I just need to reread the whole series again. JK but kinda not.
Pointe of Pride by Chloe Angyal
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
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 absolutely loved both of Chloe’s books. The Australian ballerina thing is apparently something I absolutely live for. And this one was so cute.
First, we get to see Heather and Marcus (from the first book) get married. Ugh I’m sobbing!!
Then, we get to see both their best friends fall in love with each other. AND they have banter while still being more vulnerable with each other than they ever thought they would be? Ugh Carly and Nick are to die for.
And, while I hate a 3rd act breakup, their reunion and subsequent chapters of reconciliation were delicious.
Finally, this book is another in a growing list of 3rd person POV rom coms that are absolute smashes. And, my new hot take for 3rd person rom coms is that if you have a talented writer at the helm writing them, they actually can be ✨magic✨.
Absolutely adoreddddd this book. The missing .5⭐️ is because I was so sad during the 3rd act breakup. 🙈
First, we get to see Heather and Marcus (from the first book) get married. Ugh I’m sobbing!!
Then, we get to see both their best friends fall in love with each other. AND they have banter while still being more vulnerable with each other than they ever thought they would be? Ugh Carly and Nick are to die for.
And, while I hate a 3rd act breakup, their reunion and subsequent chapters of reconciliation were delicious.
Finally, this book is another in a growing list of 3rd person POV rom coms that are absolute smashes. And, my new hot take for 3rd person rom coms is that if you have a talented writer at the helm writing them, they actually can be ✨magic✨.
Absolutely adoreddddd this book. The missing .5⭐️ is because I was so sad during the 3rd act breakup. 🙈
Rich by Nikki Grimes
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Another read for work and I adored this one. What a beautiful and real depiction of friendship. No limits, no deal breakers, just showing up and caring for each other. Absolutely beautiful.
The Chalk Box Kid by Clyde Robert Bulla
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
I read this book for my job, once again. And I didn’t love it. And the end is so weirdly ambiguous and vague.
I liked that the kid learns to be proud of his work and ideas, but the whole book could have been more interesting tbh.
I liked that the kid learns to be proud of his work and ideas, but the whole book could have been more interesting tbh.
Accidental Trouble Magnet by Zanib Mian
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This book was so cute!!
Again, I’m reading children’s books for work, and this one was exceptional. Engaging illustrations, relatable situations, realistic and scary problems. It was beautifully executed and made me very excited to read the next one!
Again, I’m reading children’s books for work, and this one was exceptional. Engaging illustrations, relatable situations, realistic and scary problems. It was beautifully executed and made me very excited to read the next one!
Sona Sharma, Very Best Big Sister by Chitra Soundar
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
Once again, full disclosure I read this for my job as a curriculum writer.
That being said, this book was so cute. What a realistic and honest depiction of how children react when a new kid joins the family. And I teared up at the end when Sona helps name her new sister. Like full tears.
So sweet and such a beautiful piece for representation and different types of children being depicted in media for kids. Loved it.
That being said, this book was so cute. What a realistic and honest depiction of how children react when a new kid joins the family. And I teared up at the end when Sona helps name her new sister. Like full tears.
So sweet and such a beautiful piece for representation and different types of children being depicted in media for kids. Loved it.
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
I fully read this because I saw the musical on Broadway and my friends were so mad that I had never actually read it in high school. But apparently my high school was weird.
That being said, I really liked this. It’s hard for me not to compare it to the Broadway musical, and I think they cut the right things when they turned it into a musical. But wow, such a slice of life moment from American history. Very West Side Story vibes. But with a better rumble haha.
Not my fave type of story, but beautifully done.
P.S. Go listen to “Stay Gold” on the Outsiders cast recording. Thank me later. It’s the best part of the musical and will make you nostalgic for the book. You’re welcome. 🥹
That being said, I really liked this. It’s hard for me not to compare it to the Broadway musical, and I think they cut the right things when they turned it into a musical. But wow, such a slice of life moment from American history. Very West Side Story vibes. But with a better rumble haha.
Not my fave type of story, but beautifully done.
P.S. Go listen to “Stay Gold” on the Outsiders cast recording. Thank me later. It’s the best part of the musical and will make you nostalgic for the book. You’re welcome. 🥹
Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto
I actually probably would have given it 5⭐️ but the third act breakup/dealing with all the fucked up shit related to Xander/his agent really made me angry.
Loved Alex (Xander) and Gwen’s love story though. Absolute magic watching two people fall in love through music. And all their “invisible string” moments on top of just how they reacted to each other was stunning. I also love a simp MMC and Alex did that so well. I was obsessed.
There’s a lot of extra plot in this, which is super interesting to read, but then you start to get a pit in your stomach knowing that all that shady shit is going to have to come to a head. And, that is where I was frustrated the most during this. But honestly, I would rather a complete story (with actual plot events) than one without.
ALSO. If we’re going to do 3rd person for a rom com, everyone needs to take notes from Julie Soto. Her balance of dialogue and description makes for the most vivid storytelling. Absolutely stunning.
P.S. The little Ama/Elliot cameos were amazing and I teared up seeing them so happy 🥹❤️
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Loved Alex (Xander) and Gwen’s love story though. Absolute magic watching two people fall in love through music. And all their “invisible string” moments on top of just how they reacted to each other was stunning. I also love a simp MMC and Alex did that so well. I was obsessed.
There’s a lot of extra plot in this, which is super interesting to read, but then you start to get a pit in your stomach knowing that all that shady shit is going to have to come to a head. And, that is where I was frustrated the most during this. But honestly, I would rather a complete story (with actual plot events) than one without.
ALSO. If we’re going to do 3rd person for a rom com, everyone needs to take notes from Julie Soto. Her balance of dialogue and description makes for the most vivid storytelling. Absolutely stunning.
P.S. The little Ama/Elliot cameos were amazing and I teared up seeing them so happy 🥹❤️
Always Only You by Chloe Liese
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
5.0
Ugh. I love Chloe Liese and her neurodivergent main characters. They are so complex and interesting and raw and real. And then they find love and it’s so cute.
And Ren and Frankie were no exception. I’m not normally a love at first sight girlie, but I’m less annoyed when it’s on the guy’s part. Like absolutely you should love her unconditionally and be willing to wait til she’s ready. And save yourself during that time for her. 100%. And Ren nails that. 👏🏼
I love that they had a bit of a forbidden romance thing for a little bit but that was not where their problems came from. They came from real issues rooted in real, honest concerns. I just think Chloe does such a good job of humanizing her MCs and making you care about their concerns without alienating the reader at the same time. It’s a tough road to walk and she nails it. In 350 pages no less.
For me, if I could read another book about the couple, but don’t need to, that means the author has perfectly paced the story, the characters, and the 🌶️. And Chloe is so good at that it’s refreshing. 🥹
And Ren and Frankie were no exception. I’m not normally a love at first sight girlie, but I’m less annoyed when it’s on the guy’s part. Like absolutely you should love her unconditionally and be willing to wait til she’s ready. And save yourself during that time for her. 100%. And Ren nails that. 👏🏼
I love that they had a bit of a forbidden romance thing for a little bit but that was not where their problems came from. They came from real issues rooted in real, honest concerns. I just think Chloe does such a good job of humanizing her MCs and making you care about their concerns without alienating the reader at the same time. It’s a tough road to walk and she nails it. In 350 pages no less.
For me, if I could read another book about the couple, but don’t need to, that means the author has perfectly paced the story, the characters, and the 🌶️. And Chloe is so good at that it’s refreshing. 🥹
Only When It's Us by Chloe Liese
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
5.0
I absolutely loved this sweet book. I adore every second of Willa and Ryder’s relationship. Almost a bit too much of a slow burn for me, but I absolutely ADORED their beautiful story.
Ugh, the loss, the slow burn, the Pride & Prejudice vibes, and the sweet way they take care of each other. All of it just makes you kick your feet and giggle in all of their beautiful moments and cry with them in their hard moments. Just loved it.
I actually can’t believe how much I loved it. And all the things they had in common?? I was dying the whole time. And now I can read about all the brothers? What a treat.
Ugh, the loss, the slow burn, the Pride & Prejudice vibes, and the sweet way they take care of each other. All of it just makes you kick your feet and giggle in all of their beautiful moments and cry with them in their hard moments. Just loved it.
I actually can’t believe how much I loved it. And all the things they had in common?? I was dying the whole time. And now I can read about all the brothers? What a treat.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Terminal illness
Minor: Death of parent