emmreadsbooks's reviews
1173 reviews

The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway by Ashley Schumacher

Go to review page

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Finally an Ashley Schumacher book that doesn't make me want to curl up and sob. It's charming, wholesome, and COZY! I'm a sucker for any book set at a renaissance fair, especially when we get to see all of the behind the scenes action. Uh YES give me a moat that functions as a lazy river please. Maddie is still processing her mom's death when she gets to the faire, but she's quickly swept off her feet by an annoying bard who asks her to be the faire's princess. While coping with her grief and body image issues, she begins to fall back in love with Stormsworth (and Arthurrrrrr). I really enjoyed the discussion on the idea of fate and letting yourself be spontaneous. Also a huge shoutout to the Target saleswoman because being plus size in a dressing room is no joke. If you need a sweet and easy read, pick this up stat.

*Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*
Zero Days by Ruth Ware

Go to review page

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

4.75

Ruth Ware isn't a sure bet author for me - we have a very tenuous relationship of hits or misses. But MAN was this a hit for me. Hired as a penetration specialist, Jack is uniquely qualified for infiltration and extraction. She just didn't expect to be escaping her life as she knew it. Between the mysterious countdown of days as chapter titles, the twists and turns as the plot unfolds, and the high octane writing, this is a definite win for thriller fans. It's definitely a departure from her slow and winding mysteries, rather full of action and travel. I really hope that she sticks with this style for future books, because I could get used to this.

*Thank you to Scout Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

Go to review page

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The cutest coziest fantasy to ever exist, HONEST. I've been recommending this to all of my fantasy-averse friends because it's just so low key and happy. Who can't relate to wanting to quit your job and go after a passion project? I'd love to read more in this series, especially about Cal and Thimble. I definitely thought that this was going to be a steamy romance, but it leans much more into sweet small town vibes. I'm not even a huge coffee fan, but this gave me pastry cravings like nobody's business. There are already some little novellas set in the universe, but I'd be excited to see another full-on book.
Where Darkness Blooms by Andrea Hannah

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I'm a sucker for a supernatural thriller, especially ones featuring dramatic irony so heavily. As the reader, we know EXACTLY what's going on in the town of Bishop. At times I found myself yelling "DON'T GO IN THERE!", because god damn. In a town where so many women go missing or die of strange circumstances, we follow a found family of 4 teenagers. Alternating between their perspectives, we unravel the secrets of Bishop and find the truth about what really happened to their mothers. I loved the use of the wind as a supernatural entity and how the land truly felt like a character. Will I ever look at a sunflower in the same way? Hell no. But this is a really quick and enjoyable supernatural thriller with some heavy themes.

*Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*
Binti: The Complete Trilogy by Nnedi Okorafor

Go to review page

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

3.75

I think reading the complete trilogy back to back was a mistake, namely because they all bled together. And by that, I mean that I don't feel like I can properly review each novella. That being said, I enjoyed the concept of the series. Math as a magic system? Uh yeah, I love it. The pacing felt a bit off at times, likely from me transitioning between novellas without noticing. I also agree with most reviewers here that Binti is the strongest of the 3 novellas, and then they begin to go downhill. That being said, I liked that we get to explore the world further as the series progresses, learning about other alien races and customs. 
How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious tense 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

4.0

PSA: Don't read this right before bed! This book is perfect for anyone who grew up in the Goosebumps error and is justifiably terrified of Slappy the dummy. However we delve into the art of puppetry and family drama, and all of the secrets they entail. Mark and Louise function perfectly as estranged siblings, united as they face their parents' deaths and the house of horrors they left behind. It's certainly horrific, but missing Grady Hendrix's trademark camp. In some ways that made it feel scarier, but also didn't make it a horror novel that I'll want to keep forever. But god damn I'm glad that I don't own any dolls or puppets, I'm sticking with stuffed animals y'all. 
The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious 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

5.0

I love me some Roshani Chokshi and this felt like a totally new genre for her. I've read middle grade and YA, but The Last Tale of the Flower Bride is something ELSE! It's dark and gothic, fueled by the mystery around Indigo Maxwell-Casteñada and the House of Dreams. The alternating POVs between the bridegroom and Azure only added to the mystery, leaving me hanging onto every word as the story unfolded. I definitely want to read my physical copy because I feel like I missed some crucial clues! I don't know how to properly describe this book, sort of like a gothic Scheherazade meets The Magician's Nephew? The C.S. Lewis vibes are certainly present, but reimagined in a way that feels wholly unique. It creates this magical realism thriller that doesn't quite fit any one genre and I loved it.

*Thank you to LibroFM for an ALC in exchange for my honest review*
Chaos Theory by Nic Stone

Go to review page

challenging emotional reflective medium-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

Nic Stone writes some of the most striking novels, even with relatively small page count. This book explores issues like alcoholism and bipolar disorder, as well as what it feels like to lose yourself entirely in a friendship. I loved Shelbi and Andy's text exchanges, especially as they were narrated by Nic herself and Dion Graham. Literally 2 of my favorite narrators on the planet. And while we explore their respective traumas, we also gain insight into those of their parents. I also loved how we get a letter from the author before we see the epilogue, especially since it staunchly defends destigmatizing mental health issues. All hail Nic Stone, queen of hard hitting YA that gives you a little cuddle after.

*Thank you to Crown Books and NetGalley for an ARC and PRH Audio for an ALC, both in exchange for my honest review*
Belle of the Ball by Mari Costa

Go to review page

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

This is the cutest love triangle graphic novel I've ever read - especially since it's a TRUE TRIANGLE. The art is spectacular and I loved how she stuck to the red and pink color scheme throughout. It really helped her art style show through. And the plot, the plot!! High school is stressful enough without being in a love triangle. This felt like a really mature take on a YA romance - there's no homophobia or trauma shown, just pure cute young sapphic love. Chloe deals with her failing english grade, Belle comes into her own, and Gina copes with the stress of college. And amidst all of this, Belle and Chloe rekindle their relationship from kindergarten. It's like a next level version of high school sweethearts. Also I couldn't get over the mascot? It's just so adorable. This is the quintessential feel-good contemporary graphic novel, perfect for fans of Heartstopper or Unfamiliar.

*Thank you to First Second Books and Hear Our Voices Book Tours for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*
You Are Only Just Beginning: Lessons for the Journey Ahead by Morgan Harper Nichols

Go to review page

hopeful medium-paced

4.0

This was the perfect pick me up on a Monday morning. Both inspirational and poetic, I want to print it out and hang it on the walls of my office. It was also awesome that MHN herself narrated it! I do think that I lost a little bit by listening to it rather than seeing the words on the page, but it was an overall nice experience.

*Thank you to LibroFM for an ALC in exchange for my honest review*