Take a photo of a barcode or cover
bookmeabreak's reviews
356 reviews
The Way I Am Now by Amber Smith
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I loved this one a whole lot more. Still could have used a little bit of the push back people but I still enjoyed this one far more than the first. More later
The Way I Used to Be by Amber Smith
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-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
4.25
So 4+ stars but not quite 5 for me and I'll be back for a more extensive but I do wish that this had dipped into a little of how some people don't believe the victim. This kind of went the everything is perfect route but usually and especially in towns and high school/college realms it gets pretty bad for the victim and while I didn't want it to dive deep but to have touched on it a little would have been great too. I'll be back!
Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
That's wild. She was cold blooded, but does that mean the other one was cold too because she allowed all that to go on while she knew and just say there watching. Honestly it's a bunch of dishonest raggedy people in this book and I don't feel bad for any of them. Sam though. Coming through in a clutch. Said oh no you don't. Just forgot all about him huh. Wild. Not a review yet just my random 🤔💭
Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was so good I'm still thinking about it days afterward. Cause of. Her writing is so pretty. I got more to say not at 3am though
Technically Speaking by Michael Elliot
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
5.0
The Trap by Catherine Ryan Howard
dark
tense
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Kidnapping, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gore and Murder
Minor: Car accident
Hide by Kiersten White
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-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
3.0
Jackal by Erin E. Adams
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
3.5
I'm swaying between whether or not I like this book. It's a lot going on and it felt congested and I understand why it was done this way but it really was just jam packed. Racism, whatever is going on with Liz, then Jack and the police. I understood where Erin was going and at the end it all fits properly, but going through made me want to DNF more times than I care to admit. It gave me like black trauma but not so much.
Maybe because I just don't understand if this also about a shape shifter in the end or it isn't? Y'all know how I feel about time jumping and while this wasn't so much time jumping as much as...yes it was. Hah see this got me all over the place and I don't like being this flustered at the end of my book.
Now for the things I like when I break it down. As much as I disliked her all over the place. I liked Liz in setting up boundaries and knowing how to put her foot down. The slow realizations what relationships in her life actually were. Her relationship with Mel. That doesn't mean I liked Mel. I actually loathed Mel because I know people like Mel and that feeling her character brings and Liz understanding where she stands is why I liked their relationship. The realization.
Caroline. I loved that she was a little girl but she represented how much little girls actually understand and take in. She represented how strong little black girls actually have to be starting so young and how if her mom hadn't been her mom she wouldn't have gotten nearly as much attention. That final interview with her explains how much she REALLY understood.
The nursery rhyme... Don't answer. Don't look. My favorite part in the entire book was the scene between Jack and I honestly can't remember which little girl but
Jack: Why don't you look at me?!
Girl: Mommy says face your fears, Daddy says ignore it. I've seen all the people that come in here look at you and run out screaming so I'll do the opposite.
I don't know how I feel about the book, but for me that part was important. I'm going to give it 3.5⭐ and let it simmer for a bit and maybe I'll change my mind for higher or lower.
Maybe because I just don't understand if this also about a shape shifter in the end or it isn't? Y'all know how I feel about time jumping and while this wasn't so much time jumping as much as...yes it was. Hah see this got me all over the place and I don't like being this flustered at the end of my book.
Now for the things I like when I break it down. As much as I disliked her all over the place. I liked Liz in setting up boundaries and knowing how to put her foot down. The slow realizations what relationships in her life actually were. Her relationship with Mel. That doesn't mean I liked Mel. I actually loathed Mel because I know people like Mel and that feeling her character brings and Liz understanding where she stands is why I liked their relationship. The realization.
Caroline. I loved that she was a little girl but she represented how much little girls actually understand and take in. She represented how strong little black girls actually have to be starting so young and how if her mom hadn't been her mom she wouldn't have gotten nearly as much attention. That final interview with her explains how much she REALLY understood.
The nursery rhyme... Don't answer. Don't look. My favorite part in the entire book was the scene between Jack and I honestly can't remember which little girl but
Jack: Why don't you look at me?!
Girl: Mommy says face your fears, Daddy says ignore it. I've seen all the people that come in here look at you and run out screaming so I'll do the opposite.
I don't know how I feel about the book, but for me that part was important. I'm going to give it 3.5⭐ and let it simmer for a bit and maybe I'll change my mind for higher or lower.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Hate crime, Racism, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Gaslighting
Dear Justyce by Nic Stone
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
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
3.75
Only For The Week by Natasha Bishop
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Oh my goodness. This deserves more than an I only have 5 minutes on my break to review review.