You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
emmreadsbooks's reviews
1152 reviews
Storm Warning by Nellie Wilson
As a midwestern girlie, I'm no slouch when it comes to tornados. I loved seeing Violet, the Elle Woods of stormchasing, get in the field. The twister bros made excellent villains, misogyny included, but I really liked that Julian let Violet fight her own battles. At times I found the time switches confusing, especially since it usually switched PoVs at the same time. But the coat room! THE COAT ROOM. Violet and Julian absolutely wreck each other in the best way and it got me excited for her next novel.
*Thank you to Nellie for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*
adventurous
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? Yes
3.75
As a midwestern girlie, I'm no slouch when it comes to tornados. I loved seeing Violet, the Elle Woods of stormchasing, get in the field. The twister bros made excellent villains, misogyny included, but I really liked that Julian let Violet fight her own battles. At times I found the time switches confusing, especially since it usually switched PoVs at the same time. But the coat room! THE COAT ROOM. Violet and Julian absolutely wreck each other in the best way and it got me excited for her next novel.
*Thank you to Nellie for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Memoirs are hard to review, but here's where this one delivers... Culture, family, and food. And I think that these are just so relatable across people that you can't help but love it. This book is DEFINITELY enjoyed best on audio, as the author narrates it herself. It is a tough read, as Michelle Zauner copes with the death of her mother and its associated grief, but it's worth it.
*Thank you to PRH Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review*
*Thank you to PRH Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review*
If I See You Again Tomorrow by Robbie Couch
adventurous
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
This BOOK!!! I went in completely blind, just requesting it because I love Robbie Couch's writing. Man am I glad because the time loop threw me for a twist and made it just so much more fun. Imagine reliving the same day of your life for almost a YEAR before something dramatically different happened. But more than just the gimmick of being in a time loop, this book is about recognizing your feelings, experiencing loneliness, and struggling to make friends in the modern era. I loved how empathetic Clark became as the book went on and I was near tears toward the end. The narrator for the audio was also amazing at differentiating between the various characters' dialogue, all while leaning into the madness that is a time loop book. This is an ode to romcoms and time loop movies everywhere, but done in that special Robbie Couch way. Now don't mind me while I curl up with a blue velvet brownie.
*Thank you to Simon Teen and NetGalley for an ARC and Simon Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review*
*Thank you to Simon Teen and NetGalley for an ARC and Simon Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review*
Advika and the Hollywood Wives by Kirthana Ramisetti
This is like if you took The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and twisted it into a contemporary mystery. Needless to say, I freaking loved it. Advika is by no means the heroine you'd expect - she's an aspiring screenwriter bogged down in catering. But when she meets Julian, she's swept away in a whirlwind romance. As a reader, it was tantalizing watching Advika realize the truth about her husband and work out how to escape his grasp. I can't remember the last time I read a character-motivated mystery, but this one is amazing. For those who loved Dava Shastri's Last Day, the writing style and focus on celebrity is still consistent - I'd argue that the pacing of this book is better and the plot a bit more compelling. Really, just all around applause for Kirthana Ramisetti.
*Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.75
This is like if you took The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and twisted it into a contemporary mystery. Needless to say, I freaking loved it. Advika is by no means the heroine you'd expect - she's an aspiring screenwriter bogged down in catering. But when she meets Julian, she's swept away in a whirlwind romance. As a reader, it was tantalizing watching Advika realize the truth about her husband and work out how to escape his grasp. I can't remember the last time I read a character-motivated mystery, but this one is amazing. For those who loved Dava Shastri's Last Day, the writing style and focus on celebrity is still consistent - I'd argue that the pacing of this book is better and the plot a bit more compelling. Really, just all around applause for Kirthana Ramisetti.
*Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*
Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide by Rupert Holmes
This story is pure, unadulturated, diabolical fun. From the concept of a academy devoted to murder to the downright absurd scenes we find ourselves in, it's a wild ride. Alternating between Cliff's journal (expertly narrated by Neil Patrick Harris I might add) and his fellow students' point of views, we begin to understand what truly drove them to attend McMasters. The dry wit is truly lethal and I worry for Rupert Holmes's search history. What's more exciting is that we might get more books in this world, as it's volume 1, and I would be SO down to read more.
*Thank you to Simon Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review*
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
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
This story is pure, unadulturated, diabolical fun. From the concept of a academy devoted to murder to the downright absurd scenes we find ourselves in, it's a wild ride. Alternating between Cliff's journal (expertly narrated by Neil Patrick Harris I might add) and his fellow students' point of views, we begin to understand what truly drove them to attend McMasters. The dry wit is truly lethal and I worry for Rupert Holmes's search history. What's more exciting is that we might get more books in this world, as it's volume 1, and I would be SO down to read more.
*Thank you to Simon Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review*
Long Way Home by Melissa Grace
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
Derek is a precious cinnamon roll who needs to be protected at all costs. Between him just being all around sweet and his pure devotion to Midnight in Dallas and his passion for photography? Uh yeah, he was meant to be the lead in a romcom. It felt like all of the little breadcrumbs that Melissa Grace left in the previous books came to pass, in some cases somewhat explosively. And then we get Jo - the resting nice face anchorwoman, coming home to lick her wounds after a traumatic (but hilarious) experience in Chicago. This book is all about trusting yourself and chasing your joy at all costs, but also about realizing your true purpose in life. And as usual, the animal sidekick is one of the BEST characters - Izzy can do no wrong. These books keep getting better and better, so buckle up!
Home Again by Melissa Grace
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
Oh BABY! Cash and Ella caught my eye in book 1, but I'm so glad that I didn't have to wait for their relationship to step into the spotlight. Between them getting a second chance at love after losing their spouses and seeing Grace fall head over heels, it's all just so precious. Compared to Home is Where You Are, Home Again is DEFINITELY more unputdownable, so be warned. I loved how supportive Cash is, contrasting nicely with Ella's sass. And the meddling, oh the meddling! It's worth noting that Bradley Cooper is the star of the show of course, but Cash and Ella play a great second fiddle.
Home Is Where You Are by Melissa Grace
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
As a Knoxville resident, I was overjoyed to see a book set in Tennessee and even more so when it was GOOD!! The chemistry between Jax and Liv is immediate, despite her qualms about the relationship. Between the sweet treats, the songwriting, and the precious cat that is Mama, I was sold. This book also perfectly sets up the future series, as we'll be receiving a book for every member of the band plus Cash! Will I be impatiently awaiting Luca's book? Of course. But I have no doubt that the rest of the series will make it worth the wait.
Cherish Farrah by Bethany C. Morrow
challenging
dark
mysterious
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
3.25
This is SUCH a funky book and I really enjoyed it. A mix of speculative, thriller, and straight up horror, Bethany C Morrow delivers a book unlike any I've ever read. I found myself confused a lot of the time, but by the end... EVERYTHING made sense. I feel like there were portions that could've amped up the tension or given more hints to the ending, but overall a solid story.
Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
5.0
It's so dang good, to no one's surprise. Angeline Boulley has a knack for creating slow burn mysteries full of culture and intrigue. I really enjoyed the focus on reclaiming artifacts and how museums abuse laws for their benefit. Perry is a non-typical protagonist - she's blunt and often apathetic. But throughout the book, you get to watch her find her passion. Not only is someone taking girls, there's also a heist to be planned, and justice to be exacted - sounds pretty dang good, right?? I also quite enjoyed how it was a bit of a spinoff of The Firekeeper's Daughter, just with a few cameos from Daunis. While not for the faint of heart, it's an excellent novel that will leave you thinking.
*Thank you to Henry Holt & Co and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*
*Thank you to Henry Holt & Co and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*