emmreadsbooks's reviews
1155 reviews

Home Is Where You Are by Melissa Grace

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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

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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

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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*
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.