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ashleydillinger's reviews
397 reviews
Potions, Poisons and Policies by Courtney Thorne
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Sexual assault
Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend by MJ Wassmer
emotional
funny
tense
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
4.5
Power of Positive Parenting: A Wonderful Way to Raise Children by Glenn Latham
informative
slow-paced
4.0
A lot of this book is extremely dated and I found myself disagreeing many times. But overall, I found about 75-80% of the book to be extremely helpful!
Darkly by Marisha Pessl
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Momma Cusses: A Field Guide to Responsive Parenting & Trying Not to Be the Reason Your Kid Needs Therapy by Gwenna Laithland
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
4.75
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Rape
Something in the Walls by Daisy Pearce
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
As someone who watched Hill House before reading the book and then was disappointed by the book, Something in the Walls filled that void for me. Atmospheric, dark, heart-pounding, mystery, with some *alleged* hauntings (no spoilers here).
The only reason this isn't getting 5-stars from me is that the some of side plots felt forced and a little unnecessary for the overall story. But overall, I couldn't put this book down and stayed up way too late reading it and definitely recommend it (pub date 2/25/25).
I was a little worried going into this after seeing some of the more negative reviews but I have to tell you, it's absolutely worth the read. I think many of the lower rated and send reviews mentioned the audiobook, so maybe avoid that medium and get a physical copy instead!
*also check tw before reading*
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The only reason this isn't getting 5-stars from me is that the some of side plots felt forced and a little unnecessary for the overall story. But overall, I couldn't put this book down and stayed up way too late reading it and definitely recommend it (pub date 2/25/25).
I was a little worried going into this after seeing some of the more negative reviews but I have to tell you, it's absolutely worth the read. I think many of the lower rated and send reviews mentioned the audiobook, so maybe avoid that medium and get a physical copy instead!
*also check tw before reading*
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Gaslighting
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Child abuse
Minor: Sexual assault
Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Do I want to be Mrs. Haggerty when I grow up??
Review in Emojis: ๐๐๐๐งผโฐ๏ธ, iykyk
A dead body is found in Mrs. Haggerty's backyard leading to her moving into Finlay's house (much against both of their wills) and someone very close to Finlay getting taken into custody for the crime. Do we think Finlay and Vero are going to get wrapped up in yet another murder investigation? Absolutely. Will they solve the murder before the wrong person goes down for the crime? Or will Finlay and Vero end up digging their own graves? You'll just have to read to find out ๐ค
This is seriously one of the best Finlay Donovan stories yet! This book doesn't come out until March 2025 but I'm already dying for the next one (that ending though!!).
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review in Emojis: ๐๐๐๐งผโฐ๏ธ, iykyk
A dead body is found in Mrs. Haggerty's backyard leading to her moving into Finlay's house (much against both of their wills) and someone very close to Finlay getting taken into custody for the crime. Do we think Finlay and Vero are going to get wrapped up in yet another murder investigation? Absolutely. Will they solve the murder before the wrong person goes down for the crime? Or will Finlay and Vero end up digging their own graves? You'll just have to read to find out ๐ค
This is seriously one of the best Finlay Donovan stories yet! This book doesn't come out until March 2025 but I'm already dying for the next one (that ending though!!).
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Domestic abuse
And Then I Woke Up by Malcolm Devlin
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25