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curiouser_books's reviews
136 reviews
Funny Story by Emily Henry
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
Emily Henry just does this better than anyone else.
Actual stars: 4.25
Format: audio, libro.fm
What I liked: Um, everything. Okay, but seriously. The premise is so corny - Peter and Daphne are engaged, but he breaks it off to get together with his childhood bff Petra. And then Daphne ends up living with with Petra's ex-boyfriend, Miles. HOWEVER, once you get past this silly premise, the book is like a warm hug. These characters are just realistic. It isn't that cringy romance trope of miscommunication because you can really see this happening in real life. Miles is such a golden retriever boyfriend and I LOVE it. Oh, and the growth of the characters through the story? I'm HERE for it.
What I didn't like: Okay, the whole set up is so crazy ... but I guess they called it on the cover, it's a "Funny Story"
Who I'm recommending this to: All the romance girlies. It is now my second favorite Emily Henry book.
Actual stars: 4.25
Format: audio, libro.fm
What I liked: Um, everything. Okay, but seriously. The premise is so corny - Peter and Daphne are engaged, but he breaks it off to get together with his childhood bff Petra. And then Daphne ends up living with with Petra's ex-boyfriend, Miles. HOWEVER, once you get past this silly premise, the book is like a warm hug. These characters are just realistic. It isn't that cringy romance trope of miscommunication because you can really see this happening in real life. Miles is such a golden retriever boyfriend and I LOVE it. Oh, and the growth of the characters through the story? I'm HERE for it.
What I didn't like: Okay, the whole set up is so crazy ... but I guess they called it on the cover, it's a "Funny Story"
Who I'm recommending this to: All the romance girlies. It is now my second favorite Emily Henry book.
The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods
emotional
inspiring
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? No
3.0
I knew too much ...
Actual stars: 3
Format: audio, Libro
What I liked: I love the idea of a lost bookshop. I love the idea of a sentient bookshop. I love the idea of people who are passionate about books. I love empowered female characters.
What I didn't like: I needed MORE. I wanted MORE about the bookshop, more details, more info, just more about the MAGIC of the book. I didn't mind the historical and present-day views, but I think it was trying too much and none of it was fleshed out quite well enough for me. In addition, I've heard SO many people talk about the books that I just knew too much which ended up being MOST of the story. This part was the most disappointing. It might be a higher rating if people hadn't given so much away in their reviews.
Who I'm recommending this to: Readers who love WWII, dual time periods, and books about books. I think for the average WWII book reader, this is a great fit. But for magical realism readers, it falls a little short.
Actual stars: 3
Format: audio, Libro
What I liked: I love the idea of a lost bookshop. I love the idea of a sentient bookshop. I love the idea of people who are passionate about books. I love empowered female characters.
What I didn't like: I needed MORE. I wanted MORE about the bookshop, more details, more info, just more about the MAGIC of the book. I didn't mind the historical and present-day views, but I think it was trying too much and none of it was fleshed out quite well enough for me. In addition, I've heard SO many people talk about the books that I just knew too much which ended up being MOST of the story. This part was the most disappointing. It might be a higher rating if people hadn't given so much away in their reviews.
Who I'm recommending this to: Readers who love WWII, dual time periods, and books about books. I think for the average WWII book reader, this is a great fit. But for magical realism readers, it falls a little short.
The Husbands by Holly Gramazio
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Funny?
Actual stars: 3.5
Format: audio, Libro
What I liked: The premise is SO fun, silly, and funny. Not necessarily laugh-out-loud funny, but it was a wild romp through poor Lauren's life. I kept wondering if this was the best way to "trial" some different lives or if it was my worst nightmare. In the end it was such a different read then I normally spend time with. Somehow it isn't really romance, but rather the struggles and joys of being alive (that sounds so serious, this is not serious).
What I didn't like: The whole Denver trip. I don't know if it was secondhand embarrassment or if I just really hated her decisions, but I really didn't like that whole diversion. Also, everyone kept telling me the book was hilarious. It is funny, but I expected to laugh out loud funny from the descriptions and that part kind of fell flat. It was funny, but I only laughed a couple of times.
Who I'm recommending this to: Any women who like "chick lit" ... that is stories about women that aren't necessarily romance.
Actual stars: 3.5
Format: audio, Libro
What I liked: The premise is SO fun, silly, and funny. Not necessarily laugh-out-loud funny, but it was a wild romp through poor Lauren's life. I kept wondering if this was the best way to "trial" some different lives or if it was my worst nightmare. In the end it was such a different read then I normally spend time with. Somehow it isn't really romance, but rather the struggles and joys of being alive (that sounds so serious, this is not serious).
What I didn't like: The whole Denver trip. I don't know if it was secondhand embarrassment or if I just really hated her decisions, but I really didn't like that whole diversion. Also, everyone kept telling me the book was hilarious. It is funny, but I expected to laugh out loud funny from the descriptions and that part kind of fell flat. It was funny, but I only laughed a couple of times.
Who I'm recommending this to: Any women who like "chick lit" ... that is stories about women that aren't necessarily romance.
The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
How was this so much better than the others but also so much worse?
Actual stars: 3.5
Format: audio, Libby
What I liked: Nesta's story is one I've liked from the beginning. When she was being awful in ACOTAR to going into the cauldron she was strong and steely. In this story we get to see her character develop, know more about her past and see her work through it. It really was well-crafted in a way that the other books didn't. Probably because we already know all the setting, so all the time could be spent on Nesta (and Cassian of course).
What I didn't like: Okay, this is going to sound prudish, but did it need to be SO spicy? I mean, the scenes were fun, but even when she thought of them later the language was vulgar. I loved the book, it would have been four stars for sure if there was just a little less description of sex. At points it felt like the plot was thinning because we hadn't moved the story forward in a while. I'm not saying I hated it, but there is a balance that this book didn't strike.
Who I'm recommending this to: Obviously anyone who has read the other 3.5 ;)
Actual stars: 3.5
Format: audio, Libby
What I liked: Nesta's story is one I've liked from the beginning. When she was being awful in ACOTAR to going into the cauldron she was strong and steely. In this story we get to see her character develop, know more about her past and see her work through it. It really was well-crafted in a way that the other books didn't. Probably because we already know all the setting, so all the time could be spent on Nesta (and Cassian of course).
What I didn't like: Okay, this is going to sound prudish, but did it need to be SO spicy? I mean, the scenes were fun, but even when she thought of them later the language was vulgar. I loved the book, it would have been four stars for sure if there was just a little less description of sex. At points it felt like the plot was thinning because we hadn't moved the story forward in a while. I'm not saying I hated it, but there is a balance that this book didn't strike.
Who I'm recommending this to: Obviously anyone who has read the other 3.5 ;)
Poor Things by Alasdair Gray
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.0
I can't wait to watch the movie.
Actual stars: 3
Format: audio, Libby
What I liked: The premise of this story is delightful. The resetting of Shelly's Frankenstein in a "modern" time. Honestly, I loved Bella Baxter, the way she interacted with the men around her and the world at large. However ...
What I didn't like: I don't like how the men acted toward Bella Baxter and how they defined her. If this book was written by a woman I think the whole story would have been more enjoyable. I think a female author would have made Bella seem less like a doll or a possession, and more like a person navigating life the way they wanted to. But alas, as a man wrote this it reads like Bella is a plaything, to her original husband, to Godwin, and to all the other men she encounters. Even in the final scenes as everything comes together, she is merely a possession.
Maybe this is an allegory to the fact that she's "made", but I don't feel like the story is that deep. The themes are really heavy-handed and not well-written. There is a reason people weren't clamoring to read this before the movie came out.
Who I'm recommending this to: Not sure, I didn't order any for the store, so I probably don't have to worry about it. I'm looking forward to seeing the movie and drawing some comparisons (here is to hoping the movie is better).
Actual stars: 3
Format: audio, Libby
What I liked: The premise of this story is delightful. The resetting of Shelly's Frankenstein in a "modern" time. Honestly, I loved Bella Baxter, the way she interacted with the men around her and the world at large. However ...
What I didn't like: I don't like how the men acted toward Bella Baxter and how they defined her. If this book was written by a woman I think the whole story would have been more enjoyable. I think a female author would have made Bella seem less like a doll or a possession, and more like a person navigating life the way they wanted to. But alas, as a man wrote this it reads like Bella is a plaything, to her original husband, to Godwin, and to all the other men she encounters. Even in the final scenes as everything comes together, she is merely a possession.
Maybe this is an allegory to the fact that she's "made", but I don't feel like the story is that deep. The themes are really heavy-handed and not well-written. There is a reason people weren't clamoring to read this before the movie came out.
Who I'm recommending this to: Not sure, I didn't order any for the store, so I probably don't have to worry about it. I'm looking forward to seeing the movie and drawing some comparisons (here is to hoping the movie is better).
Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross
2.5
I thought I'd love this.
Actual stars: 2.5
Format: audio, Libby
What I liked: The whole time I read this I kept thinking that I loved the first book, I needed to give this one more of a chance. I just never connected. The story was good, the ending was satisfactory, but I read at least 30% before I even sort of cared what was going on. I'm sure it was me and not the book, other people loved it.
What I didn't like: I can't even say, I just didn't connect. I felt like the emotionality was missing from this one, at least in the beginning. I wanted to see Iris laying on the couch refusing to write, not just moving along. Maybe that is what I disliked. I would have liked to see Iris super emotional and Roman cold in the beginning, it would have showcased what was going on a little better.
Who I'm recommending this to: I don't know, I guess to people who read the first one. But having read this one I don't know if I'll actively promote the duo anymore.
Actual stars: 2.5
Format: audio, Libby
What I liked: The whole time I read this I kept thinking that I loved the first book, I needed to give this one more of a chance. I just never connected. The story was good, the ending was satisfactory, but I read at least 30% before I even sort of cared what was going on. I'm sure it was me and not the book, other people loved it.
What I didn't like: I can't even say, I just didn't connect. I felt like the emotionality was missing from this one, at least in the beginning. I wanted to see Iris laying on the couch refusing to write, not just moving along. Maybe that is what I disliked. I would have liked to see Iris super emotional and Roman cold in the beginning, it would have showcased what was going on a little better.
Who I'm recommending this to: I don't know, I guess to people who read the first one. But having read this one I don't know if I'll actively promote the duo anymore.