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aquinntessential's reviews
124 reviews
Powerless by Lauren Roberts
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Current scandals aside, this book is a tough one to rate.
It was pretty slow, and it took me a couple days to finish but the end portion was good. And the ending made me anticipate the next.
But one thing I would’ve like to see was that the writing reflected each character. Because sometimes they’d use the same phrasing when it could be more individualised.
It was pretty slow, and it took me a couple days to finish but the end portion was good. And the ending made me anticipate the next.
But one thing I would’ve like to see was that the writing reflected each character. Because sometimes they’d use the same phrasing when it could be more individualised.
The Cinnamon Bun Book Store by Laurie Gilmore
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
The writing was a lot better compared to the first book which was good.
The characters were slightly more interesting.
However, I feel like the development aspects still need work. You have a character who only does “casual” and I know it’s kind of established that he has a crush on her in the first book. But it still would’ve been nice to see progress / development from him rather than the back and forth I’ve learnt to expect from the author. Same with Hazel — she’s supposed to be “boring” etc. So maybe she should develop from being that to more open minded and “fun having”. I think that could’ve been done by having a catalyst at the start rather than just her saying it so we could experience that development.
The characters were slightly more interesting.
However, I feel like the development aspects still need work. You have a character who only does “casual” and I know it’s kind of established that he has a crush on her in the first book. But it still would’ve been nice to see progress / development from him rather than the back and forth I’ve learnt to expect from the author. Same with Hazel — she’s supposed to be “boring” etc. So maybe she should develop from being that to more open minded and “fun having”. I think that could’ve been done by having a catalyst at the start rather than just her saying it so we could experience that development.
The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I feel like the book is overrated. I started reading because of how much it’s grown on TikTok recently (sometimes that works out sometimes it doesn’t), and it was pretty disappointing.
The writing is okay, but it feels like it’s missing something. And the characters don’t feel well-rounded—they kept going back and forth with their ideas / motivations (esp regarding their relationship) that is repetitive rather than developed.
And the mystery would have been so good if it was incorporated well.
Jeanie was just annoying and Logan was so mopey. There’s a difference between being hurt or traumatised after bad events / relationships than just being self absorbed and whiny and taking everything as a personal slight.
And seriously, like they JUST met. JUST MET.
I bought the next books in the series beforehand, so I’m hoping they improve.
The writing is okay, but it feels like it’s missing something. And the characters don’t feel well-rounded—they kept going back and forth with their ideas / motivations (esp regarding their relationship) that is repetitive rather than developed.
And the mystery would have been so good if it was incorporated well.
Jeanie was just annoying and Logan was so mopey. There’s a difference between being hurt or traumatised after bad events / relationships than just being self absorbed and whiny and taking everything as a personal slight.
And seriously, like they JUST met. JUST MET.
I bought the next books in the series beforehand, so I’m hoping they improve.
Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
slow-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
No because I loved this so much 😩
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving, Gris Grimly
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter
adventurous
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The mystery itself was pretty great. And usually I love books with short chapters, but for some reason this made the book feel like it was dragging on.
I wasn’t particularly attached to either Maggie or Ethan—so maybe there could be some more building / development there.
But overall, a fun concept. And a fun Christmystery? Chrystery? (is that a thing?? 👀) read.
I wasn’t particularly attached to either Maggie or Ethan—so maybe there could be some more building / development there.
But overall, a fun concept. And a fun Christmystery? Chrystery? (is that a thing?? 👀) read.
Let's Split Up by Bill Wood
dark
funny
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Okay, first off, keep in mind that I’m just above the YA age range, which is what this book is advertised as.
The writing is simple, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing — I’m not sure what writing should be appropriate for YA but I imagine the theme is quite dark for the younger ages but the writing too simple for the older ages.
That being said, I quite enjoyed the simplicity of the writing because it makes it a quick, but enjoyable read. I pretty much finished it in a day.
However, the killer was very predictable(probably due to the fact that a little amount of characters were introduced.) But again, it’s YA, fair enough.
It didn’t take away from the actual storyline. And not to be a pussy, but at some points I was grateful for living in student accommodation (hopefully harder for murderers to get through.)
The characters could be built more thoroughly — maybe with specific hobbies etc etc. but their speech seemed to follow a straightforward pattern.
Either way, this is a great debut novel and I look forward to seeing the author improve as time goes on.
The writing is simple, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing — I’m not sure what writing should be appropriate for YA but I imagine the theme is quite dark for the younger ages but the writing too simple for the older ages.
That being said, I quite enjoyed the simplicity of the writing because it makes it a quick, but enjoyable read. I pretty much finished it in a day.
However, the killer was very predictable
It didn’t take away from the actual storyline. And not to be a pussy, but at some points I was grateful for living in student accommodation (hopefully harder for murderers to get through.)
The characters could be built more thoroughly — maybe with specific hobbies etc etc. but their speech seemed to follow a straightforward pattern.
Either way, this is a great debut novel and I look forward to seeing the author improve as time goes on.
Believe Me by Tahereh Mafi
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
+ 0.25 ⭐️ for the fact that Kenji and Aaron are going to be neighbours
Imagine Me by Tahereh Mafi
adventurous
dark
funny
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The Christmas Book Hunt by Jenny Colgan
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
1.0
I’m sorry. I just really didn’t like it. I would’ve DNFd it but I’m close to fifty this books year. Ended up skimming it.
In my opinion, the writing was okay. The characters unlikable and the storyline bleak. And I guess the whole speaking like they did in the olden days was supposed to be cute and romantic but it was just cringey.
I’m sorry.
In my opinion, the writing was okay. The characters unlikable and the storyline bleak. And I guess the whole speaking like they did in the olden days was supposed to be cute and romantic but it was just cringey.
I’m sorry.