emmreadsbooks's reviews
1162 reviews

The Ones We Fight For by Katie Golightly

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emotional slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

A book reminiscent of The Fosters and Amelia Unabridged? Yessssssss. For those of you wanting a lot of steam, be patient. It ain't gonna hit until 90% or so, but is worth it when it does. Mr Hartrick, yes please. I loved the premise of the book, especially their spectacular meet cute. Family really is everything and this book emphasizes that you can CHOOSE your real family. Between the precious moments with the Hartrick clan and the whipsmart banter, it's a dang good debut. My only note would be that it felt a little long? But it does have a lot of setup to do for future books, so I can understand why.

*Thank you to Katie for the gifted ARC in exchange for my honest review*
The Blood Gift by N.E. Davenport

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dark emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

I really enjoyed book 1 in this series with all of its mystery and intrigue. This one didn't quite have the same oomph. Rather everything is focused on being on the run and stopping the Blood Emperor. It just didn't feel as thought out as the first novel and started to drag after the first 20%. And then things just get REALLY weird with communing with gods and the like. I feel like Ikenna is protected by plot armor almost to the point of being a Mary Sue, and that detracted from my experience. This book is also definitively more violent than the previous installment, and sets up a new series in such a random way.. Just not a fan, I guess.

*Thank you to Harper Voyager and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

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emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This book didn't feel intrinsically *fantasy* until the last page. And yet? I still freaking loved it. Imagine taking a WWII book and making it about warring gods instead. Then add in an epistolary romance between rival journalists. Hi, Wednesday Books? I'll take 20. The dual narrators were exceptional, especially for dramatic readings of their correspondences. I'm convinced that this book is best read on audiobook honestly. Iris was so headstrong and determined, while Kitt is infuriating and dapper. Rebecca Ross, I want the latter half now please.

*Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for my ARC and Macmillan Audio for my ALC in exchange for my honest review*
Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson

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challenging reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I just love books about the rich behaving badly, especially when they get their just desserts or change their ways. This book falls under the latter category (thankfully) and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the characters. Not to mention that it's narrated by the queen Marin Ireland, so the listening experience was just superb. I liked that we jumped from story to story of the siblings and spouses of the Stockton family, while still getting an omniscient view of the plot as a whole. It almost feels like a reality show. This would be a great read, but keep in mind that there are a few trigger moments in the story.

*Thank you to PRH Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review*
Rubi Ramos's Recipe for Success by Jessica Parra

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funny lighthearted 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? No

4.25

Rubi Ramos is an absolute QUEEN. A senior at a private high school, captain of the debate team, working part-time for her parents... while all she really wants to do is BAKE. The details on the intricate decorations, the droolworthy descriptions of bolillos, conchas, and malt cookies, and how concise she parallels baking to trigonometry? Made for me. The family dynamics were so interesting and full of LOVE, even if they struggle to show it sometimes. If you want a mouthwatering baking competition book mixed with a heartwarming coming of age novel, this is a great pick.

*Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*
Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker

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hopeful mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I don't know why I thought this would focus on baking, but that was my only disappointment of the book. Between the hard of hearing rep and the adorable queer romance, I was sold. The magic system didn't feel over-explained and complimented the art style nicely. If you want a cute supernatural graphic novel, check this one out!
The Measure by Nikki Erlick

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challenging emotional sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I don't know why I thought I'd be unemotional about a book that made all of my friends cry. But I had to read 2 fluffy YA books after this to even remotely reset my emotions, so BE WARNED. In a world where everyone can quickly learn about the length of their life, I'm just astounded that anyone even looked. Like.... WHY??? That being said, it's an intimate book about the human condition. How we love, hate, and just continue to exist. Amie, Hank, and Javi were my favorite characters (to basically no one's surprise). This book reads like a Black Mirror episode, except super sob inducing.

If you've got some kleenex handy, feel free. Else, brace yourself.
Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng

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adventurous mysterious slow-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? It's complicated

2.25

I just don't think I got it. I enjoyed the commentaries on America and how quickly we could be in a dystopian state such as this... but I was kind of confused the whole time. The changes in point of view didn't feel natural and weren't indicated by the narrator. Which was sad because it was FREAKING LUCY LIU. What a queen. 
Untethered Sky by Fonda Lee

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adventurous reflective 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? No

5.0

I love me some Fonda Lee. Between the danger of hunting manticores and of training rocs, I was IN. Going into an animal-centered book, you do have to brace yourself for some kinds of trauma in that regard, but I do think that it was all done with care. Ester lets being a rukher quickly consume her identity, projecting onto her roc Zahra. As the story goes on and they get closer, you just know that the devastation is impending. It's a phenomenal novella, giving you just enough about the world as a whole for you to understand the stakes... but not so much that it becomes a full length novel. It's truly phenomenal.

*Thank you to Tor and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*
Not Here to Stay Friends by Kaitlyn Hill

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funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

A friends to lovers romance on the set of a Bachelor franchise? GOD YES. Kaitlyn Hill writes such great relationships, especially those with a bit of a slow burn. I loved Sloane and Liam's friendship - they slowly realize that they've got some FEELS and it feels so true to life. Oh and it's also HILARIOUS. Seeing a friends to lovers from 2 PoVs is perfection because you can see the mutual longing, and it's even better when you get to listen to it. Not to mention that this is just such a sweet YA romance, focused wholly on friendship and finding your own happiness. Very cute, very fast read, highly recommend.

*Thank you to Delacorte Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review and to PRH Audio for an ALC*